PacBio Files ITC Patent Infringement Complaint Against Oxford Nanopore

MENLO PARK, Calif., Nov. 02, 2016 -- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (Nasdaq:PACB), today announced that it has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (the “ITC”) against Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd. and its affiliates. The complaint asserts that Oxford Nanopore’s MinION and PromethION devices and associated consumables, reagents, and software, as well as related commercialization activities by Oxford Nanopore and its affiliates, infringe one or more claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,404,146 (the “146 Patent”), owned by Pacific Biosciences.

The 146 Patent, entitled “Compositions and methods for nucleic acid sequencing”, was issued in August of this year and covers novel methods for sequencing single nucleic acid molecules using  linked double-stranded nucleic acid templates, providing improved sequencing accuracy.

Pacific Biosciences is asking the ITC to institute an investigation into the infringement of the 146 Patent by Oxford Nanopore, and to issue an exclusion order permanently barring infringing Oxford Nanopore products from entry into the United States and preventing Oxford Nanopore from advertising and selling infringing products in the United States.

“As a pioneer in the field of single molecule, long read sequencing, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in research and development across a broad array of disciplines, including nanofabrication, physics, organic chemistry, photonics, optics, molecular biology, engineering, signal processing, high performance computing, and bioinformatics,” said Dr. Michael W. Hunkapiller, Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Biosciences. “The contributions made by our many talented inventors have been recognized with hundreds of awarded patents relevant to long read sequencing. We stand firm in our resolve to protect that investment and our leadership position in the field we have created.”

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 actions or remedies sought from the ITC, enforcement of patent rights, 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 and Investors:
Trevin Rard
650.521.8450
[email protected]