BGI Expands Investment in SMRT Sequencing Technology for Its Global Service Business

MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., (Nasdaq:PACB) a pioneer and leader in long-read sequencing using its Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT^®) Technology, and BGI, one of the world’s largest genomics organizations, today announced that BGI has ordered its first Sequel System and plans to purchase additional units in order to further integrate SMRT Sequencing into its global service business.  This purchase is a continuation of the commitment to SMRT Sequencing BGI made earlier this year with its purchase of the PacBio^® RS II Sequencer.

“We have been very impressed with the SMRT Sequencing technology and our PacBio RS II system.  This technology allows BGI to meet the demand for SMRT sequencing services in our bacterial, plant and animal de novo sequencing, transcriptomics sequencing as well as large-scale projects such as the Genome 10K Project,” said Ye Yin, CEO of BGI Genomics. “The addition of the Sequel System enables BGI to increase capacity and offer additional services such as whole genome resequencing and a variety of other long-read-based applications.”

The Sequel System is designed for projects such as rapidly and cost-effectively generating high-quality, whole-genome de novo assemblies. It can provide characterization of a wide variety of genomic variation types, including those in complex regions not accessible with short read or synthetic long-range sequencing technologies, while simultaneously revealing epigenetic information. The system can also be used to generate data for full-length transcriptomes and targeted transcripts using the company’s Iso-Seq^TM protocol. The Sequel System’s increased throughput should also facilitate applications of SMRT Technology in metagenomics and targeted gene applications for which interrogation of larger numbers of individual DNA molecules is important.

Michael Hunkapiller, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Pacific Biosciences commented: “We are delighted that the world’s leading sequencing operation has chosen to acquire the newest generation of PacBio technology and expand its services based on SMRT Sequencing.  By adopting our Sequel System, BGI will benefit from the higher throughput, more scalability, reduced footprint and lower sequencing project costs that the system delivers.”

About BGI

BGI was founded in 1999 as a nonprofit research organization. Over the years, BGI has grown into a multinational company with significant global operations. With more than 5,000 employees across the globe and R&D, manufacturing, and commercial operations around the world, BGI is committed to providing solutions to address the research, pharmaceutical, and clinical markets. BGI’s focus has centered on improving human health and empowering large-scale human, plant, and animal genomics research. More information is available at www.bgi-international.com.

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 DNA base modification identification to help characterize epigenetic regulation and DNA damage. Pacific Biosciences’ technology provides the industry’s highest consensus accuracy over the longest read lengths in combination with the ability to detect real-time kinetic information. 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 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.

Contact BGI:
Media:
Bicheng Yang
[email protected]

Contacts Pacific Biosciences:
Media: 
Nicole Litchfield
415.793.6468
[email protected]

Investors:
Trevin Rard
650.521.8450
[email protected]