In response to the ruling of the Patents Court within the High Court of Justice for England & Wales on 20 January 2021, MGI makes the following statement:
We concur with the court’s ruling that Illumina’s European Patent (EP) 1 828 412 on methods of sequencing by synthesis using ascorbic acid is invalid for obviousness and that MGI’s CoolMPS sequencing method does not infringe this patent. We also agree with the finding that MGI’s CoolMPS sequencing does not infringe EP 2 021 415, covering a linker and rhodamine dye combination.
However, we are disappointed with the rulings on other patents. We continue to firmly believe that these patents are invalid and/or not infringed by MGI’s proprietary CoolMPS and StandMPS technologies and will immediately seek permission to appeal the decision.
MGI advocates fair competition and an open environment for innovation, and opposes the abuse of patent litigation to maintain market monopoly and suppress industry development. Especially at this critical moment in the worldwide effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, we will do our utmost to protect our rights and interests, as well as the interests of our customers, research collaborators, and business partners. We have already initiated legal proceedings in other regions, including a recent antitrust complaint against Illumina in the United States. The complaint alleges multiple instances of anticompetitive behavior, including asserting at least three patents against MGI companies in an unlawful and fraudulent manner.
It should be noted that our advanced laboratory automation equipment is not affected by this lawsuit and will continue to support COVID-19 prevention and control in the United Kingdom, assisting local organizations to improve the efficiency of nucleic acid testing.
MGI will issue further statements as circumstances necessitate should there be any material developments regarding these matters.
