April 11, 2025
The global whole genome sequencing (WGS) market is experiencing significant growth. In 2024, the market was valued at approximately USD 2.12 billion and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 22.17% from 2025 to 2030, reaching an estimated USD 6.67 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
Genome sequencing has advanced several times over the past two decades, shifting from an expensive and time-consuming technology to a more accessible and affordable one. The cost has dropped from nearly $3 billion in the early 2000s to just a few hundred dollars today. This dramatic decline in cost is fueling breakthroughs in personalized medicine, disease research, and biotechnology.
In this article, you’ll explore genome sequencing cost trends, the impact of technological advancements, and future predictions for genome sequencing cost and beyond.
Source: NIH
Genome sequencing is the process of reading and analyzing an organism's DNA. The DNA is made up of 4 crucial chemical bases that are (G, A, T, and C). These determine the biological traits and functions. Every living organism has a genome, which is the complete set of DNA in its cells. In the case of humans, the genome is inherited from both parents; it is made of pairs of chromosomes. The size of genomes varies across species, and humans have around 3 billion bases.
Since genomes are so large, scientists can't sequence them all at once. Instead, they break DNA into smaller pieces, analyze the sequences of those fragments, and then use computer programs to reconstruct the full genome. This process is called whole-genome sequencing. The cost of genome sequencing depends on various factors, including size, the level of accuracy, and the technology requirements. Below, you’ll explore historical trends in genome sequencing costs.
Let’s explore the cost of sequencing from its very beginnings to the present and learn how genome sequencing has evolved.
Source: NIH
The Human Genome Project (HGP) was a great achievement of scientists in human genome study. It allowed them to sequence a complete reference version of the human genome, consisting of approximately 3 billion DNA bases. The project, which started in 1990 and ended in 2003, provided a map of the human genome and established the foundation for modern genetic research.
The cost of the HGP was initially estimated at $3 billion, but efficient collaboration and technological advancements reduced the final expense to approximately $2.7 billion. This amount covered a wide range of research efforts beyond sequencing, including bioethics studies, genetic mapping, and the development of new sequencing technologies.
In 2000, when the first human genome was sequenced as part of the HGP, the cost of sequencing varied widely depending on what was included in the calculations. Producing the initial draft sequence cost an estimated $300 million, while refining it into a high-accuracy “finished” sequence (completed in 2003) required an additional $150 million.
If all prior genome-sequencing efforts are factored in, then the total cost of sequencing the first human gene could range from $500 million to $1 billion. By contrast, by 2003, the cost of sequencing a second human genome using the same technology had dropped dramatically to around $50 million, showing early signs of efficiency improvements in the field.
A major driver of cost reduction was the shift from Sanger sequencing, the primary method used during the HGP, to next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. While highly accurate, Sanger sequencing was time-consuming and expensive because it relied on sequencing small DNA fragments one at a time.
The decade after the Human Genome Project saw significant advances in DNA sequencing technologies, particularly with the introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods, which drastically reduced genome sequencing costs. By 2015, most human genome sequencing involved generating a 'draft' sequence by comparing it to a reference genome without finishing the sequence.
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) tracks a wide range of costs, including reagents, equipment, labor, and administration, but does not include activities like quality control, sequence alignment, or genomic annotation. By mid-2015, the cost of a high-quality draft whole-genome sequence was just over $4,000, falling to below $1,500 by the end of the year. Whole-exome sequencing typically costs less than $1,000. Commercial prices were often slightly lower but varied.
The transition from labor-intensive sequencing techniques to automated, high-throughput methods continues to shape the future of genomics. Below, you will specifically learn about technological advancements and their costs.
According to Grand View Research, the global next-generation sequencing (NGS) market was valued at approximately USD 8.40 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.7% from 2024 to 2030.
Technologies like next-generation sequencing (NGS) have transformed genomics by enabling high-throughput, cost-effective DNA analysis. This technology is becoming widely used for accuracy, speed, and scalability, which is evident from the data below.
Let’s explore NGS and other widely used technologies that are transforming the field of genomics.
NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) is a high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing technology that allows rapid, parallel sequencing of millions of genetic fragments. It is used in genomics, transcriptomics, and clinical diagnostics to analyze genetic variations, mutations, and gene expression with high accuracy and efficiency. The rise of NGS platforms, such as those developed by Illumina, Pacific Biosciences (PacBio), and Oxford Nanopore Technologies, has dramatically improved sequencing efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.
The evolution of sequencing technologies has seen a shift from first-generation Sanger sequencing to second-generation massively parallel sequencing, which is a cheaper and more accurate technology. Advances in short-read sequencing (e.g., Illumina's sequencing-by-synthesis method) and long-read sequencing (e.g., PacBio's Single-Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing and Oxford Nanopore's nanopore-based technology) have further expanded the capabilities of genomic analysis. Long-read sequencing is used when the identification of complex structural variations is required, while short-read sequencing excels in transcriptome profiling and variant detection.
As next-generation sequencing (NGS) offers ultra-high throughput, scalability, and speed compared to traditional methods, below, you’ll explore the sequencing cost in 2025.
As of 2025, genome sequencing costs continue to decline, driven by technological advancements and increased market competition. Innovation taking place in next-generation sequencing (NGS) has made this technology more affordable and accessible for researchers. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is now projected to cost approximately $200 per genome. This is made possible by leading companies like Illumina and emerging competitors such as Ultima Genomics, which are making a huge leap into this field.
The NGS market is highly competitive, with established players and new startups vying to reduce sequencing costs. Illumina, which dominates nearly 80% of the global DNA sequencing market, has responded to growing competition by accelerating its technological innovations. Meanwhile, new players like Ultima Genomics are pushing the boundaries of affordability, aiming to make sequencing even cheaper. These thriving companies in this field are expanding sequencing capabilities for various applications, including personalized medicine, cancer research, and large-scale genomic studies.
As you have explored the genome sequencing cost in 2025, let's move on to the next topic, where you’ll gain insights into future predictions or the cost of genome sequencing.
Above, you explored the genome sequencing cost in 2025, which revealed that human sequencing cost has fallen to $200. However, if you look into the future of sequencing, companies like Illumina and Ultimate Genomics are rapidly achieving their aim of making this technology cheaper than it currently is.
Illumina, a leader in the DNA sequencing market, controls about 80% of the global market. This company is an industry giant that is committed to advancement in the field of genomics. It recently launched the NovaSeq X series, which can sequence a human genome for $200 while offering results at twice the speed of previous models.
Illumina’s CEO, Francis de Souza, said that the new machine could sequence up to 20,000 genomes per year compared to the current model’s 7,500 genomes. This technological breakthrough brings Illumina closer to its goal of a $100 genome.
Ultima Genomics, a biotech startup, launched its UG100 sequencing platform in early 2024. This platform claims to reduce sequencing costs to $100 per genome using a new chemical sequencing process. While still a small player, the UG100 platform shows promise, with studies indicating it produces results similar to Illumina’s technology.
The platform is currently available only to a select group of research facilities, but it is expected to drive further innovation in cost-effective, high-throughput sequencing applications. Although Ultima Genomics' $100 genome is not yet widely accessible, it is pushing established companies to reduce costs and improve technologies in the rapidly advancing field of sequencing.
As you have explored how cheap and widely accessible the technology will soon become, you will now look at the technical challenges or limitations of genome sequencing.
With advantages, there are also limitations to genome sequencing. Addressing these technical and market challenges will require continued innovation, strategic collaborations, and thoughtful regulation to ensure that the promise of affordable and accessible genome sequencing is fully realized by 2025 and beyond.
The increasing volume of genomic data generated presents significant challenges in terms of processing power, storage, and management. This requires cutting-edge computational tools, robust infrastructure, and scalable cloud solutions, all of which come with their own set of technical challenges.
As genome sequencing becomes more widely available, the regulatory landscape becomes more complex. Issues like genetic data privacy, ethical considerations regarding genome editing, and the potential misuse of genetic information will need to be addressed.
Despite technological advancements, integrating genomic sequencing into everyday clinical practice remains a significant hurdle. Clinicians may lack the necessary training or resources to interpret genomic data effectively, and healthcare systems may face difficulties incorporating genomic testing into established workflows.
Even as sequencing costs decrease, access to the technology remains uneven. Developed countries are more likely to have the infrastructure and resources to support widespread genomic testing, while developing nations may struggle with cost, data storage, and technical expertise.
Above, you explored everything about the evolution of genome sequencing cost along with the future prospects; this gave a better understanding of the importance of technology advancement and research. Now you have come to the concluding part below that will give a recap of everything you have gone through above.
Genome sequencing has made remarkable progress over the past two decades. The rapid advancement of this technology is making it more accessible and affordable for researchers and medical setups. From the Human Genome Project to next-generation sequencing (NGS), the cost of sequencing has fallen dramatically.
By 2025, sequencing costs are projected to continue their decline, with major players like Illumina and emerging competitors like Ultima Genomics pushing the boundaries of affordability. However, as sequencing becomes more widespread, challenges such as data processing, regulatory concerns, clinician adoption, and global accessibility remain that need to be addressed.
The future of genome sequencing is not only exciting but also integral to global advancement. As you explore genome sequencing, platforms like Biostate.ai offer total RNA sequencing to provide insights into any sample at affordable prices. Get any sample at an affordable rate. Get your quote today!
