PacBio Enters Cancer Genomics Research Collaboration in Singapore with Advanced Onso Sequencing

Rhea-AI Summary

PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) has announced a Research Collaboration Agreement with the National Cancer Centre of Singapore (NCCS) to accelerate cancer research using PacBio's advanced sequencing technologies. The collaboration will focus on profiling prevalent cancers in Asia using the Onso short-read sequencing system and Kinnex long-read sequencing kit, with emphasis on single-cell RNA sequencing.

The Onso platform, known for its exceptional accuracy, will be used to detect clinically relevant mutations across various cancer types. PacBio's authorized channel partner, DKSH, has installed the Onso platform at the Cancer Discovery Hub in NCCS. This collaboration aims to benefit Singapore and provide access to cutting-edge technology for the broader research community in Asia.

The integration of Onso for short reads and Revio for long reads will enable comprehensive multi-omics studies, offering new possibilities for precision oncology. This initiative combines short-read and long-read sequencing to explore the genomic complexities of cancers prevalent in Asia, with the ultimate goal of improving tailored diagnostic and treatment options for patients.

Positive

• Collaboration with National Cancer Centre of Singapore to accelerate cancer research in Asia
• Installation of Onso short-read sequencing platform at NCCS Cancer Discovery Hub
• Combination of Onso short-read and Revio long-read sequencing for comprehensive multi-omics studies
• Potential for improved cancer diagnostics and therapeutics through advanced genomic analysis

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

This collaboration between PacBio and NCCS marks a significant step forward in cancer genomics research, particularly for Asian populations. The integration of PacBio's Onso short-read and Revio long-read sequencing technologies offers a comprehensive approach to analyzing cancer genomes at unprecedented depth and accuracy.

Key points to consider:

• The focus on prevalent Asian cancers could lead to more targeted therapies and improved diagnostics for these populations.
• Single-cell RNA sequencing capabilities may reveal important insights into tumor heterogeneity and progression.
• The combination of short-read and long-read sequencing allows for a more complete picture of genetic variants and transcript isoforms, potentially uncovering novel biomarkers.

While this collaboration holds promise for advancing cancer research, investors should note that the immediate financial impact on PacBio may be However, successful outcomes could strengthen PacBio's position in the competitive sequencing market, particularly in Asia, potentially leading to increased adoption of their technologies in clinical and research settings.

Financial Analyst

This collaboration represents a strategic move for PacBio to expand its presence in the Asian market, particularly in the lucrative field of cancer genomics. Key financial implications include:

• Potential for increased revenue streams through wider adoption of PacBio's Onso and Revio platforms in Asian research institutions and hospitals.
• Enhanced market positioning against competitors in the sequencing industry, potentially leading to increased market share.
• Long-term growth prospects in the precision medicine market, which is projected to grow significantly in coming years.

However, investors should be aware that the financial benefits may not be immediate. Research collaborations often have long development cycles before translating into commercial success. With a current market cap of $419,694,583, PacBio is still a relatively small player in the genomics field. This partnership could be a catalyst for growth, but it's important to monitor the company's ability to capitalize on research outcomes and translate them into tangible market gains.

Groundbreaking collaboration to unlock the full potential of PacBio’s Onso technology, accelerating breakthroughs in cancer genomics across Asia

SINGAPORE, Oct. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB), a leading developer of high-quality, highly accurate sequencing solutions, today announced the signing of a new Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA) with the National Cancer Centre of Singapore (NCCS). This collaboration aims to accelerate cancer research by leveraging PacBio's advanced sequencing technologies, including the innovative Onso short-read sequencing platform, to profile the genomic landscape of prevalent cancers in Asia.

The research project will focus on profiling prevalent cancers in Asia using PacBio’s Onso short-read sequencing system and Kinnex long-read sequencing kit, with a particular emphasis on single-cell RNA sequencing. The Onso platform, known for its exceptional accuracy in short-read sequencing, will enable researchers to detect clinically relevant mutations across various cancer types, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Its unique ability to deliver highly accurate data at scale makes it ideal for exploring genomic variants in cancer samples, ensuring robust analysis that could ultimately provide better cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

As part of the collaborative effort, PacBio’s authorized channel partner in Asia, DKSH, has installed the Onso platform at the Cancer Discovery Hub in NCCS, which is dedicated to expanding cancer research and discovery. The findings from this collaboration are expected to benefit not only Singapore but also provide access to this cutting-edge technology to the broader research community in Asia. The collaboration with DKSH strengthens PacBio’s commitment to supporting local researchers in advancing cancer genomics in the region.

In combination with Revio's long-read sequencing capabilities, this research collaboration will allow scientists to conduct comprehensive multi-omics studies, analyzing transcript isoforms and genetic variants at the single-cell level. The integration of Onso for short reads and Revio for long reads ensures a complete and in-depth analysis of the cancer genome, offering new possibilities for precision oncology.

Asst Prof Jason Chan, Director of the Cancer Discovery Hub at NCCS, said: “We are excited to collaborate with PacBio on this initiative which combines the power of short-read and long-read sequencing, allowing us to delve deeper into the genomic complexities of cancers prevalent in Asia. The ultimate aim is to improve tailored diagnostic and treatment options for our patients.”

Jason Kang, General Manager and Vice President of PacBio APAC, commented, “At PacBio, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of cancer research with our cutting-edge sequencing platforms. With the installation of the Onso platform, enabled by our trusted partner DKSH, we are bringing our advanced sequencing solutions closer to the research community, empowering researchers to unlock new insights into cancer biology.”

For more information, please contact:

Contacts (PacBio)

Investors:
Todd Friedman
ir@pacificbiosciences.com

Media:
pr@pacificbiosciences.com

About PacBio

PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) is a premier life science technology company that designs, develops, and manufactures advanced sequencing solutions to help scientists and clinical researchers resolve genetically complex problems. Our products and technologies stem from two highly differentiated core technologies focused on accuracy, quality and completeness which include our HiFi long-read sequencing and our SBB® short-read sequencing technologies. Our products address solutions across a broad set of research applications including human germline sequencing, plant and animal sciences, infectious disease and microbiology, oncology, and other emerging applications. 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

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the uses, coverage, advantages, quality or performance of, or benefits or expected benefits of using, PacBio products or technologies, including in connection with the RCA between PacBio and NCCS; unlocking Onso’s potential; accelerating breakthroughs in cancer genomics research; genomic landscape profiling of prevalent cancers; detection of clinically-relevant mutations; expectations that the collaboration will benefit the Singapore and Asian research communities; conducting comprehensive multi-omics studies, and ensuring complete and in-depth analysis of the cancer genome, using Revio and Onso platforms; and other future events. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they are subject to assumptions, risks, and uncertainties and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from currently anticipated results, including, challenges inherent in sequencing a large number of genomes, and the difficulty of generating discoveries across various areas of research; potential product performance and quality issues; third-party claims alleging infringement of patents and proprietary rights or seeking to invalidate PacBio's patents or proprietary rights; and other risks associated with international operations. Additional factors that could materially affect actual results can be found in PacBio's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including PacBio's most recent reports on Forms 8-K, 10-K, and 10-Q, and include those listed under the caption "Risk Factors." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof; except as required by law, PacBio disclaims any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

FAQ

What is the purpose of PacBio's collaboration with the National Cancer Centre of Singapore?

The collaboration aims to accelerate cancer research by profiling the genomic landscape of prevalent cancers in Asia using PacBio's advanced sequencing technologies, including the Onso short-read sequencing platform and Kinnex long-read sequencing kit.

How will the Onso sequencing platform be used in cancer research at NCCS?

The Onso platform will be used to detect clinically relevant mutations across various cancer types, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), leveraging its exceptional accuracy in short-read sequencing for robust genomic variant analysis.

What are the potential benefits of combining Onso short-read and Revio long-read sequencing in this collaboration?

The combination of Onso for short reads and Revio for long reads will enable comprehensive multi-omics studies, allowing scientists to analyze transcript isoforms and genetic variants at the single-cell level, offering new possibilities for precision oncology.

How does this collaboration impact cancer research in Asia beyond Singapore?

The collaboration is expected to provide access to cutting-edge sequencing technology to the broader research community in Asia, potentially benefiting cancer research and discovery across the region.