inqaba biotec acquires the first PacBio Sequel II System in Africa
April 20 2020 - 7:00AM
Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (Nasdaq:PACB), a leading
provider of high-quality sequencing of genomes, transcriptomes, and
epigenomes, and inqaba biotec, the leading commercial DNA
sequencing service provider in sub-Saharan Africa, today announced
the addition of a PacBio Sequel II System to inqaba biotec’s
portfolio of genomics services. Based on the well-established
Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT®) Sequencing technology, the
Sequel II System offers highly accurate long reads, with 15x more
data compared with the original Sequel System.
“We are very pleased to make the PacBio Sequel II System
available to researchers on the African continent. In addition to
its highly accurate HiFi reads, customers can expect drastically
reduced project costs and higher throughput,” said Oliver Preisig,
PhD, Executive Director of Inqaba Biotechnical Industries. “As
Africa's Genomics Company, we are particularly excited to be
surrounded by such a high degree of biodiversity.”
“It is expected that with data from the Sequel II System, we
will now be able to generate highly accurate ethnic-specific human
genome datasets to further increase our understanding of population
genetics and disease response in Africa, which has greater levels
of genetic diversity than any other part of the world,” says Raj
Ramesar, Professor and Head of the Division of Human Genetics at
the University of Cape Town.
The PacBio Sequel II System is capable of comprehensive variant
detection, from single base changes to multi-kilobase structural
variants, and can be used for a broad range of applications
including whole-genome, amplicon, and full-length transcriptome
sequencing, as well as epigenetic characterization. With longer
HiFi reads and higher throughput, the Sequel II System will allow
inqaba biotec to assemble not only human genomes but also those of
plants and animals unique to the African continent.
inqaba biotec also anticipates using the Sequel II System to
support regional COVID-19 studies. PacBio is partnering with
researchers worldwide to develop protocols using HiFi sequencing to
investigate the genetics and epidemiology of the novel SARS-CoV-2
coronavirus, which will aid in understanding and managing the
spread of COVID-19. PacBio’s highly accurate long-read sequencing
technology has already been used to study other infectious viruses
including HIV, HCV, HSV and influenza, and inqaba biotec will
provide support to African researchers interested in investigating
them and the diseases they cause.
“PacBio is proud to partner with inqaba biotec to establish them
as our first Sequel II System service provider for the entire
African continent,” said Jonas Korlach, PhD, Chief Scientific
Officer of Pacific Biosciences. “We are excited to support efforts
underway to sequence human genomes and non-human endemic species
for diversity research with our highly accurate HiFi
sequencing.”
About Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd
(www.inqababiotec.co.za)Inqaba Biotechnical Industries
(Pty) Ltd, trading as inqaba biotec, is a unique South African
Genomics company with a broad footprint in sub-Saharan Africa
having offices in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Senegal as
well. Established in 2002, it is the leading company in Africa that
provides a full range of DNA sequencing and DNA synthesis services.
The company also distributes life and molecular diagnostics
products from well-known brands.
About Pacific BiosciencesPacific 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 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
future availability, uses, accuracy, quality or performance of, or
benefits of using, our products or technologies, including SMRT
Sequencing, the suitability or utility of our methods, products or
technologies for particular applications or projects, the expected
benefits, or insights to be gained, by research teams who are using
our products or technologies to study SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, 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: Colin Sanford203.918.4347colin@bioscribe.com
Investors: Trevin Rard650.521.8450ir@pacificbiosciences.com
Pacific Biosciences of C... (NASDAQ:PACB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Pacific Biosciences of C... (NASDAQ:PACB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024