DNA sequencing giant Illumina is suing Guardant Health, a firm that has become both its customer and rival, claiming that the patents at the core of Guardant’s quest to detect cancer with a simple blood draw are based on confidential information stolen from the genomics company.
San Diego-based Illumina filed a lawsuit Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware in which it says that Guardant’s co-founders, who are former Illumina employees, siphoned off tens of thousands of Illumina documents while creating their company. Illumina is looking to be included on Guardant’s key patents; it’s also asking for royalties, payment for lost profits, and other forms of compensation.