Basel, Switzerland, 3/15/12; San Diego, CA 3/19/12; Basel, Switzerland 3/20/12; Basel Switzerland 3/25/12; San Diego, CA 3/25/12; San Diego, CA 3/26/12; Basel, Switzerland 3/29/12; San Diego, CA 3/29/12—Roche has increased its offer price for the outstanding shares of Illumina by 14.6% to $51.00 per share (see IBO 1/31/12, 2/15/12). Illumina advised its stockholders to take no action until it reviews the proposal. On March 25, Roche extended its tender offer for a second time at the original price per share of $44.50. Illumina’s annual stockholders meeting is scheduled for April 18. At the meeting, four Board members will be elected to replace expiring terms. Illumina’s nominees for the positions are the four existing directors. Roche has put forth its own nominees and has proposed the creation of two new Board seats, for which it has also selected nominees. Illumina sent a second letter to shareholders on March 26 urging stockholders, no matter how many shares they own, to vote for the re-election of Illumina’s incumbent Board members. In addition, on March 15, Roche announced that it received a second request for additional information related to the proposed acquisition from the Federal Trade Commission. The request was in regard to Roche’s microarray business.