PacBio SPRQ-Nx Chemistry Now Shipping Worldwide, Enabling Sub-$300 HiFi Genomes for Large Scale Projects and AI-Enhanced Sequencing

PacBio (NASDAQ:PACB) began worldwide shipping of its SPRQ-Nx chemistry and multi-use SMRT Cells for the Revio HiFi platform, reducing sequencing costs by about 30% versus prior SPRQ chemistry.

Rhea-AI Summary

PacBio (NASDAQ:PACB) began worldwide shipping of its SPRQ-Nx chemistry and multi-use SMRT Cells for the Revio HiFi platform, reducing sequencing costs by about 30% versus prior SPRQ chemistry.

The new consumables target a $345 list price per genome and enable sub-$300 HiFi genomes at scale, while AI-driven DeepConsensus and updated methylation models aim to improve accuracy, yield, and epigenetic insight.

Positive

• New Revio multi-use SMRT Cells cut sequencing costs by about 30% versus prior SPRQ chemistry
• Per genome HiFi list price reduced to $345, with sub-$300 genomes possible at scale
• SPRQ-Nx enables multi-use SMRT Cells, lowering costs to under $300 per human genome at 5,000 genomes per year
• Beta testing across 20 sites and 1,400+ runs showed increased yield and lower failure rates than SPRQ chemistry
• AI-powered DeepConsensus updates improve accuracy and processing speed on Revio with SPRQ-Nx chemistry
• Expanded methylation calling, including updated 5mC/6mA and new 5hmC detection models, increases epigenetic information per run

Negative

• None.

Argus May 26 session

+3.28% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – PACB

On May 26, the day this news came out, PACB closed 3.28% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the May 26 session.

Key Figures

Per genome list price: $345 HiFi genome cost: Sub-$300 per genome Cost reduction: 30% +5 more

Per genome list price

$345

SPRQ-Nx HiFi genome list price on Revio

HiFi genome cost

Sub-$300 per genome

Revio customers sequencing at scale

Cost reduction

30%

Cost reduction vs prior SPRQ chemistry

Beta test sites

20 sites

SPRQ-Nx beta testing locations across three regions

Beta test runs

1,400 runs

SPRQ-Nx beta testing run count

Genomes per year

5,000 genomes

Scale assumption for sub-$300 genomes

Current price

$1.22

Pre-news trading price

52-week range

$0.8511–$2.73

52-week low and high before this news

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 21

5 events

1. May 21

   Conference participation

   24h Move

   -2.4%

   Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference fireside chat announcement.

2. May 19

   Oncology collaboration

   24h Move

   -1.7%

   Strategic collaboration with Blank Bio on RNA foundation models.

3. May 11

   Clinical study data

   24h Move

   -3.9%

   HiFi sequencing study on unexplained subfertility and pregnancy loss.

4. May 7

   Q1 2026 earnings

   24h Move

   -14.6%

   Q1 2026 results with flat revenue and improved net loss.

5. Apr 21

   Software collaboration

   24h Move

   -0.6%

   Compatibility collaboration with Lucid Genomics for tertiary analysis.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

smrt cells, hifi sequencing, epigenetic, methylation, +3 more

7 terms

smrt cells technical

"New Revio multi-use SMRT Cells reduce sequencing costs by 30%..."

SMRT cells are disposable cartridges used in single-molecule, real-time DNA sequencing machines; they hold tiny wells where individual DNA molecules are read directly, producing long, detailed genetic sequences. For investors, SMRT cells are like camera film or printer cartridges for a sequencing business: their performance and cost determine how much data a lab can generate, the quality of that data, and the recurring revenue or supply costs for companies in genomics and biotech.

hifi sequencing technical

"Revio HiFi sequencing platform are now shipping worldwide."

HiFi sequencing is a DNA-reading technology that produces long stretches of genetic code with very high accuracy, like getting a clear, unbroken sentence rather than many short, noisy fragments. For investors, it matters because higher-quality genetic data can speed drug discovery, improve diagnostics, and reduce downstream costs and errors in genomics projects, making companies that use or sell the technology potentially more competitive and valuable.

epigenetic medical

"increase accuracy, yield, and epigenetic insight"

Epigenetic describes changes that alter how genes are turned on or off without changing the underlying DNA sequence, similar to flipping light switches or adjusting software settings that control a machine. For investors, epigenetic mechanisms matter because they create new targets for drugs, diagnostics, and therapies that can modify disease processes or patient responses, potentially leading to novel products, market opportunities, and long-term revenue streams.

methylation medical

"expanded methylation detection and advances to DeepConsensus..."

Methylation is a chemical process where small tags called methyl groups attach to DNA or proteins, altering how genes are read without changing the underlying genetic code. Investors monitor methylation because patterns can serve as diagnostic markers, drug targets, or measures of treatment response in biotech and healthcare—think of them as sticky notes or light switches that change biological behavior and can affect a product’s development, approval and market value.

5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine medical

"and a new 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine, or 5hmC, caller."

A chemical tag on DNA where a tiny molecule attaches to the base cytosine and alters how cells read nearby genes; it helps control which genes are active without changing the underlying genetic code. Investors should care because this marker can serve as a biomarker or drug target—like a sticky note in a book that signals pages to read differently—so it can drive diagnostic products, therapy development, and the commercial value of biotech pipelines.

long-read sequencing technical

"HiFi long-read sequencing can play an important role..."

Long-read sequencing is a laboratory method that reads much longer stretches of DNA at once than older approaches, giving a clearer, more continuous picture of a genome—like reading whole sentences instead of just chopped-up words. For investors, it matters because it can improve accuracy of genetic tests, speed up drug research, reduce costly follow-up testing, and create competitive advantages for companies that develop or use the technology in diagnostics and therapeutics.

ai powered consensus algorithm technical

"an AI powered consensus algorithm developed in collaboration..."

An AI-powered consensus algorithm is a computerized method that uses machine learning to combine many inputs—such as forecasts, sensor readings, or votes from distributed systems—into a single agreed result. Think of it as a smart jury or referee that weighs different viewpoints, spots errors or outliers, and produces a more consistent, faster decision than any one source alone. Investors care because it can improve the accuracy and speed of signals used for pricing, risk management, or automated trading, and also reduce human bias and surprise outcomes.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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New Revio multi-use SMRT Cells reduce sequencing costs by 30% compared to previous SPRQ chemistry while DeepConsensus improvements and expanded methylation calling increase accuracy, yield, and epigenetic insight

MENLO PARK, Calif., May 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB), developer of the world’s most advanced sequencing technologies, today announced that SPRQ-Nx sequencing chemistry and new multi-use SMRT Cells for its Revio HiFi sequencing platform are now shipping worldwide. The commercial availability of SPRQ-Nx brings the per genome list price to $345, and the possibility of sub-$300 HiFi genomes to Revio customers sequencing at scale¹, while expanded methylation detection and advances to DeepConsensus, an AI powered consensus algorithm developed in collaboration with Google, further improve accuracy, run performance, and the biological information generated from each read.

PacBio has continued expanding the use of AI across the HiFi sequencing workflow in ways that directly improve data quality, speed, and biological interpretation. The latest DeepConsensus updates include optimizations enabled by Google’s AlphaEvolve coding agent, delivering measurable gains in accuracy and processing speed. PacBio is also advancing deep learning models for epigenetic detection, including updated 5mC and 6mA models optimized for SPRQ-Nx chemistry and a new 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine, or 5hmC, caller. These advances are designed to help researchers generate richer HiFi datasets from the same sequencing run, including methylation signals relevant to cancer, tissue sequencing, and large-scale genomic research.

When paired with SPRQ-Nx chemistry, these improvements translate directly to lower costs and higher performance in production environments. SPRQ-Nx allows the SMRT Cell consumable to be used multiple times, reducing sequencing costs to less than $300 per human genome at scale. In beta testing across 20 sites in Europe, Asia, and the United States, spanning over 1,400 runs, SPRQ-Nx delivered increased yield and a lower failure rate across a broad range of sample types, resulting in more usable data and greater consistency for high-throughput workflows relative to SPRQ chemistry.

“In our beta testing, we saw consistently strong run performance,” said Adam Ameur, Associate Professor and Senior Bioinformatician at Uppsala University. “The simple workflow, low failure rates, and substantially lower pricing with multi-use SMRT Cells make SPRQ-Nx a practical upgrade for large-scale sequencing projects.”

“HiFi sequencing already is well known for a high standard of genomic accuracy, and AI is helping us push that advantage further by improving data quality, speed, and usability while expanding what researchers can learn from each run,” said Christian Henry, President and CEO of PacBio. “With SPRQ-Nx, DeepConsensus, and expanded methylation calling working together, Revio customers can generate more information-rich HiFi long-read data at a much lower cost, creating a stronger foundation for population-scale studies, large disease cohorts, and AI-enabled genomic research.”

“The quality of genomic data is determined by the information richness of the sequencer and the refinement of the algorithms that process it,” said Andrew Carroll, Product Lead for Genomics at Google Research. “New advances in DeepConsensus unlock even more of the exceptional quality inherent in HiFi sequencing, empowering scientists and clinicians to find new insights and resolve complex cases of rare disease.”

PacBio is also extending AI across the broader genomics workflow, including downstream analysis and interpretation. As population-scale sequencing efforts, national biobanks, large disease cohorts, and AI model-building initiatives generate growing demand for richer genomic datasets, highly accurate HiFi long-read sequencing can play an important role in producing the data foundation needed for discovery. Initiatives such as the Trillion Genes Atlas project further highlight how HiFi sequencing and AI can support large-scale genomic research and future clinical discovery.

With SPRQ-Nx now shipping globally, PacBio is making HiFi sequencing more scalable for population-scale genomics, large cohort studies, and research programs that require high accuracy, reliability, and richer molecular information. These improvements are available on existing Revio systems through a software upgrade and new consumable kits. PacBio plans to bring SPRQ-Nx chemistry and other platform improvements to its Vega benchtop system later in 2026.

¹ Based on 5,000 genomes per year with applicable discounts.

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, which include our HiFi long-read sequencing, 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 contains "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, advantages, quality or performance of, or benefits or expected benefits of using, PacBio products or technologies, including in connection with the SPRQ-Nx sequencing chemistry and multi-use SMRT Cells; reduction in sequencing costs by as much as 30%; improved methylation calling and epigenetic insight; expanded use of AI across sequencing workflows and related improvements in data quality, speed, and usability; generating richer HiFi datasets from the same sequencing run; possible lower costs in production environments; plans to release SPRQ-Nx chemistry and other platform improvements to the Vega benchtop system later in 2026; and other forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they are subject to assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from currently anticipated results, including, challenges inherent in developing, manufacturing, launching, marketing and selling new products; rapidly changing technologies and extensive competition in genomic sequencing; unanticipated increases in costs or expenses; interruptions or delays in the supply of components or materials for, or manufacturing of, PacBio products; potential product performance and quality issues; the possible loss of key suppliers; and, third-party claims alleging infringement of patents and proprietary rights or seeking to invalidate PacBio's patents or proprietary rights. 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.

Media Contacts: 

Investors: ir@pacb.com
Media: pr@pacb.com 

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did PacBio (PACB) announce about SPRQ-Nx chemistry on May 26, 2026?

PacBio announced global availability of its SPRQ-Nx chemistry and multi-use SMRT Cells for the Revio HiFi platform. According to PacBio, this brings per genome list price to $345 and enables sub-$300 HiFi genomes at production scale.

How much can SPRQ-Nx reduce HiFi genome sequencing costs for PacBio (PACB) customers?

SPRQ-Nx can reduce sequencing costs by about 30% compared with prior SPRQ chemistry. According to PacBio, multi-use SMRT Cells allow human genome costs below $300 at scale, based on 5,000 genomes per year with applicable discounts.

How does PacBio’s SPRQ-Nx chemistry use AI and DeepConsensus to improve Revio performance (PACB)?

SPRQ-Nx integrates updated DeepConsensus AI models to improve accuracy and processing speed on Revio runs. According to PacBio, Google’s AlphaEvolve helped optimize DeepConsensus, while new epigenetic models increase information content and methylation insights per HiFi read.

What were the beta testing results for PacBio SPRQ-Nx chemistry across global sites?

In beta testing, SPRQ-Nx showed increased yield and lower failure rates than SPRQ chemistry across varied samples. According to PacBio, more than 1,400 runs at 20 sites in Europe, Asia, and the United States demonstrated greater consistency for high-throughput workflows.

How does SPRQ-Nx enhance methylation and epigenetic detection on PacBio Revio (PACB)?

SPRQ-Nx supports expanded methylation detection, including updated 5mC and 6mA models and a new 5hmC caller. According to PacBio, these deep learning models aim to provide richer epigenetic information relevant to cancer studies, tissue sequencing, and large genomic projects.

Will PacBio SPRQ-Nx chemistry be available on the Vega benchtop system (PACB)?

PacBio plans to bring SPRQ-Nx chemistry and related platform improvements to the Vega system later in 2026. According to PacBio, current Revio users access these upgrades via software updates and new consumable kits, supporting broader adoption across workflows.