10x Genomics has filed a lawsuit alleging that Illumina infringes patents covering single‑cell and spatial transcriptomics technologies. The complaint follows a pattern of aggressive IP enforcement by 10x as it seeks to protect core platform rights amid intensifying competition in the single‑cell and spatial markets. The legal action comes as incumbents and new entrants expand product portfolios across modalities, and as companies bundle hardware, chemistry and analysis software into integrated workflows. Litigation timelines and outcomes could shape competitive dynamics, partnerships and licensing negotiations for years. For adopters and investors, the case underlines the importance of patent landscapes in high‑value enabling technologies and may influence procurement, collaboration terms and M&A strategies in the genomics tools sector.