Pacific Biosciences Sequencing For Human Biomedical Research To Be Featured At American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting

MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 1, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., (NASDAQ:PACB) a pioneer and leader in long-read sequencing using Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT^®) Technology, today announced that its technology will be featured in 36 presentations at next week's American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2015 annual meeting taking place in Baltimore, Maryland.

The company will also display its new instrument, the Sequel™ System, which was launched yesterday. The Sequel System provides higher throughput, more scalability, a reduced footprint and lower sequencing project costs compared to the PacBio^® RS II System, while maintaining the existing benefits of the company's SMRT Technology.

"We are excited to support the human genetics community as they pursue the generation of higher-quality whole human genomes, and move beyond SNPs to sequence the full size-spectrum of human genetic variation," said Jonas Korlach, Chief Scientific Officer of Pacific Biosciences. "With the introduction of our Sequel platform, SMRT Sequencing will be available to more scientists seeking to find the underlying heritability of genetic diseases."

The company will host a workshop titled "Addressing Hidden Heritability through Long-Read Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) Sequencing"on Wednesday, October 7 from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern Time at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, Baltimore. The event will be hosted by Michael Hunkapiller and Jonas Korlach from Pacific Biosciences, and include talks by Richard Gibbs from Baylor College of Medicine and Richard Wilson from Washington University in St. Louis. Those attending the conference in Baltimore can register here. The company will also offer LIVE streaming and access to the recording; for more information, click here.

The depth and breadth of scientific talks presented at ASHG this year demonstrate how long-read SMRT Sequencing is opening up new frontiers by helping the genome sequencing community create gold-standard genome references, characterize complex regions, resolve structural variation, and unlock isoform diversity. Highlights include the following podium presentations:

Wednesday, October 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Long read single-molecule real-time (SMRT) full gene sequencing of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) #27
Y. Yang, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Wednesday, October 7 at 3:15 p.m.
Comprehensive genome and transcriptome structural analysis of a breast cancer cell line using PacBio long read sequencing #14
M. Nattestad, Cold Spring Harbor

Wednesday, October 7 at 3:30 p.m.
Evolution and structural diversity of the complement factor H related gene cluster #47
S. Cantsilieris, University of Washington School of Medicine

Friday, October 9 at 2:15 p.m.
Building a platinum assembly from single haplotype human genomes generated from long molecule sequencing #227
K. Meltz Steinberg, Washington University

Friday, October 9 at 2:30 p.m.
Building a Better Human Genome Reference and Targeting Structure using SingleMoleculeTechnologies #228
R. Sebra, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Friday, October 9 at 2:45 p.m.
Genome in a Bottle: You may have sequenced, but how well did you do? #229
J.M. Zook, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Friday, October 9 at 3:30 p.m.
A Diploid Personal Human Genome Reference from Diverse Sequence Data – A Model for Better Genomes #232
K.C. Worley, Baylor College of Medicine

Saturday, October 10 at 10:45 p.m.
Full-length mRNA sequencing uncovers a widespread coupling between transcription and mRNA processing #71
S.Y. Anvar, Leiden University Medical Center

Research conducted using SMRT Sequencing will also be featured in at least 28 poster presentations. A full list of PacBio-related ASHG meeting research and activities is available here. Attendees can also visit the PacBio booth (#907).

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. The Sequel System, including consumables and software, provides 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 the attributes of the Sequel System, future commercialization, uses and performance of the company's products, 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: For Pacific Biosciences: Media: Nicole Litchfield 415.793.6468 nicole@bioscribe.com Investors: Trevin Rard 650.521.8450 ir@pacificbiosciences.com

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