While patents on genetic sequences have some tricky specifications (you have to patent "non-standard" biological uses), I know Celera holds a number of patents related to the Human Genome Project. From what I recall in general biology, Celera actually used automation to outpace the public institutions even though they started later.

If you're curious, here's a patent list and some background on the company:

https://www.celera.com/celera/intellectual_property

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celera_Corporation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Venter