Illumina is facing a record fine from regulators in Europe and a divestment order from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission related to its acquisition of cancer test maker Grail. The San Diego-based DNA sequencing company may have to pay fines of 432 million euros for breaching EU merger rules when it bought Grail in 2021 while an investigation was underway.
Illumina said it plans to appeal the EU fine, and it recently appealed a separate divestment order from the FTC. But pressure is mounting for the company to sell Grail after shareholders voted to oust Illumina’s board chair and add a director nominated by activist investor Carl Icahn. The company will also need to find a new CEO, after former leader Francis deSouza departed in the weeks following the board vote.
Here are the latest developments in the regulatory and shareholder battle around Illumina’s acquisition.