MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug. 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (Nasdaq:PACB) today
announced it has released a set of key updates for the Sequel™ System, the company’s latest product based on its Single Molecule,
Real-Time (SMRT®) Sequencing technology. The new release provides performance improvements via updated sequencing
chemistry, optimized sample clean-up protocols, and associated software that together further improve read lengths, throughput and
accuracy of the system. In addition, as customers upgrade their Sequel Systems to the new software and chemistry, they will no
longer be subject to the supply constraints for SMRT Cells that were in effect earlier this year.
“These updates reinforce our continued commitment to improving SMRT Sequencing throughput, read length, and accuracy through
optimized protocols and chemistry to enhance applications, such as de novo assembly, targeted sequencing, and the Iso-Seq™
method for RNA analysis,” said Kevin Corcoran, Senior Vice President of Market Development for Pacific Biosciences. “With this
release, we have removed SMRT Cell supply constraints as we begin to source SMRT Cells for the Sequel System from our high-volume
supplier.”
Yi Han, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, who had
early access to the new chemistry and software commented: “We are very impressed with the data we are getting with the latest
update to the Sequel chemistry, sample prep, and software. As one of the first adopters of SMRT Sequencing, we appreciate how
PacBio has partnered with us since 2010 to continually make improvements to the technology that directly benefit our research.”
Robert Sebra, Ph.D., Director of Technology Development & Associate Professor of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at the Icahn
School of Medicine at Mount Sinai stated, "To date we’ve successfully demonstrated high molecular depth targeted long-range
amplicon sequencing for a variety of medically relevant and other research applications, in addition to using the Iso-Seq and
variant validation pipelines on Sequel. With the most recent releases, we’ve now seen significantly improved sequencing
metrics and the non-restricted SMRT Cell supply will now enable larger genomes to be sequenced, and research requiring extreme
molecular depth using the Sequel technology to truly differentiate the power of higher throughput long-read single molecule
sequencing."
More information about Sequel is available at: http://www.pacb.com/products-and-services/pacbio-systems/sequel/.
About Pacific Biosciences
Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (NASDAQ:PACB) offers sequencing systems to help scientists resolve genetically
complex problems. Based on its novel Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT®) technology, Pacific Biosciences’ products
enable: de novo genome assembly to finish genomes in order to more fully identify, annotate and decipher genomic
structures; full-length transcript analysis to improve annotations in reference genomes, characterize alternatively spliced
isoforms in important gene families, and find novel genes; targeted sequencing to more comprehensively characterize genetic
variations; and real-time kinetic information for epigenome characterization. Pacific Biosciences’ technology provides high
accuracy, ultra-long reads, uniform coverage, and is the only DNA sequencing technology that provides the ability to simultaneously
detect epigenetic changes. PacBio® sequencing systems, including consumables and software, provide a simple, fast,
end-to-end workflow for SMRT Sequencing. More information is available at www.pacb.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things,
statements relating to future availability, uses, quality or performance of, or benefits of using, products or technologies, and
other future events. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond Pacific Biosciences’ control and
could cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made in
this press release. Factors that could materially affect actual results can be found in Pacific Biosciences’ most recent filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Pacific Biosciences’ most recent reports on Forms 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q,
and include those listed under the caption “Risk Factors.”
Pacific Biosciences undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this press release to reflect events or
circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.
Contacts Media: Nicole Litchfield 415.793.6468 nicole@bioscribe.com Investors: Trevin Rard 650.521.8450 ir@pacificbiosciences.com
