Pacific Biosciences Launches New HiFi Sequencing Workflow to Further Improve HiFi’s Industry Leading Accuracy

• HiFi Sequencing and Software v10.1 Release on the Sequel II and IIe Systems
• Increases Scalability, Improves Usability, and Unlocks Additional Sample Types to Extend the Value of HiFi Reads

MENLO PARK, Calif., April 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (Nasdaq: PACB), a global leader offering a comprehensive view of genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes, today announced the availability of HiFi Sequencing and Software v10.1 Release on the Sequel II and Sequel IIe Systems. The new release increases the number of HiFi reads at or above 99.9% accuracy (QV30) for whole genome sequencing-based applications. This combined release further improves the quality of HiFi Sequencing while providing​ an efficient and scalable workflow for sequencing hundreds to thousands of whole human genomes per year on Sequel II and IIe Systems.

Broadly adopted by scientists worldwide who have discovered how highly accurate long reads enable deeper biological insight into genomes, this latest high-throughput sequencing and analysis workflow release includes a new HiFi library prep protocol offering a three-fold reduction in DNA input enabling HiFi whole genome sequencing with limited sample quantities (blood, tissue biopsies and cell lines).

“We see building enthusiasm in the market for HiFi and this new release demonstrates our commitment to continuously improving our already industry-leading accuracy and key aspects of the workflow,” said Jasmine Pritchard, Vice President of Product Marketing at Pacific Biosciences. “This new kit also includes our fastest polymerase on our Sequel II/IIe to date, resulting in improved HiFi data quality. Our team is focused on delivering advancements across the full spectrum of our portfolio, from sample preparation to downstream analysis. We are extremely excited about our roadmap which will enable customers to advance scientific discovery.”

The release was developed in collaboration with Children’s Mercy Kansas City for sequencing thousands of whole human genomes per year on Sequel II and IIe Systems. This high-throughput sequencing and analysis workflow supports the adoption of HiFi reads for comprehensive variant detection to better understand the genetic causes of rare and inherited diseases.​

“We work with families that are struggling and we’re trying to provide them the answer that they need. Children’s Mercy is scaling its sequencing capacity and, together with PacBio, we can expand our research capability to explore potential disease-causing variants not explained by current genome or exome sequencing,” said Emily G. Farrow, PhD, CGC, Director of Lab Operations at Children’s Mercy Research Institute. “This new workflow provides efficiency in our lab where now two research scientists can comfortably produce one thousand HiFi libraries a year, with the hope of doubling the throughput for library prep by automated liquid handling currently tested in the laboratory.”

The release also features new enabling workflows for variant calling and analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in combination with the recently released high throughput COVID sequencing protocol developed in partnership with Labcorp.

The HiFi Sequencing and Software v10.1 Release is available to order today and includes the following features: 

• New Consumables ​- SMRTbell Enzyme Clean Up Kit 2.0​, Sequel II Primer v5​, Polymerase Binding Kit 2.2
• HiFi Protocol​ - Updated HiFi Express protocol enabling reduced DNA input ​
• Sequel II ICS v10.1​ - On-instrument workflow improvements that simplify run set up, especially for multiplexed applications
• SMRT Link v10.1​ - Updates for Adaptive Loading, our new HiFiViral for SARS-CoV-2 analysis application, and improved Iso-Seq Analysis for multiplexed samples 

For more, please visit our Latest Release Page, and download SMRT Link v10.1 on the Software Downloads Page. 

About Pacific Biosciences
Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (NASDAQ: PACB) is empowering life scientists with highly accurate long-read sequencing. The company’s innovative instruments are based on Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT^®) Sequencing technology, which delivers a comprehensive view of genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes, enabling access to the full spectrum of genetic variation in any organism. Cited in thousands of peer-reviewed publications, PacBio^® sequencing systems are in use by scientists around the world to drive discovery in human biomedical research, plant and animal sciences, and microbiology. For more information, please visit www.pacb.com and follow @PacBio.

PacBio products are provided for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements relating to market leadership and uses, accuracy, quality or performance of, or benefits of using, our products or technologies, including HiFi and SMRT technology and software and workflow release for Sequel II and Sequel IIe systems, the suitability or utility of our methods, products or technologies for particular applications or projects, including in connection with rare disease research and high-throughput sequencing and analysis, the ability of the Company to be successful in reaching its technological and commercial potential, customer enthusiasm for HiFi 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.

Investors:
Todd Friedman
ir@pacificbiosciences.com

Media:
Jen Carroll
jcarroll@pacificbiosciences.com