Illumina is navigating significant regulatory and geopolitical challenges, including a ban on DNA sequencer sales in China and uncertainty stemming from U.S. trade tensions affecting academic customers. Despite expected revenue declines between 0.5% and 2.5% in 2025, CEO Jacob Thaysen remains confident in achieving high single-digit growth by 2027. The company is pursuing diversification beyond genomics sequencing into areas such as epigenetics and proteomics, with potential NIH budget increases offering business support.