Helicos BioSciences Announces the First Ever Single-Molecule View of Whole Human Genome Study Performed at Stanford University Published in Nature
Biotechnology
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug 10, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Helicos BioSciences Corporation (NASDAQ: HLCS), a life science company
focused on innovative genetic analysis technologies, today announced the
publication of a breakthrough study in which a Helicos(TM) Genetic Analysis
System was used to sequence a human genome at the Stanford Institute for
Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. The research article, now appearing
in the on-line edition of Nature Biotechnology, demonstrates the power,
accuracy and ease-of-use of the Helicos System.
The study, conducted by Dmitry Pushkarev, Norma Neff and Stephen Quake
was carried out using less than four runs of a single HeliScope(TM) Single
Molecule Sequencer, and achieved 28X average coverage of the human
genome. The sequencing allowed the detection of over 2.8 million single
nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), of which over 370,000 were novel.
Validation with a genotyping array demonstrated 99.8% concordance. The
unbiased nature of the single-molecule sequencing approach also allowed
the detection of 752 copy number variations (CNVs) in this genome.
"Helicos is very proud of this achievement and congratulates the
Stanford group on their study; personal genome resequencing is another
in a continuing series of major breakthroughs for our team as we bring
the only true single-molecule sequencing available today to the market"
said Ron Lowy, CEO of Helicos.
The Helicos Genetic Analysis System is the world's first and only
commercially available, single molecule sequencing technology, and
enables scientists to conduct revolutionary studies in the fields of
genome biology, cancer research, common diseases genetics, and
microbiology without adapter ligation or amplification. Unlike other
technologies that require complex and costly sample preparation, the
Helicos Genetic Analysis System can analyze DNA directly, with very
little manipulation, allowing individual laboratories to conduct
affordable, large-scale experiments.
"Consider just how quickly our technology has enabled a single lab to
interrogate a human genome" said Patrice Milos, CSO of Helicos. "This
represents a major shift in the way we expect human genomics to be
carried out in the future, with the hope of ultimately impacting human
disease" added Milos.
The sequence data from this publication are available at the National
Institutes of Health National Center for Biotechnology Information Short
Read Archive (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Traces/sra/sra.cgi?).
About Helicos BioSciences: Helicos BioSciences is a life science company focused on innovative
genetic analysis technologies for the research, drug discovery, and
diagnostic markets. Helicos' proprietary True Single Molecule
Sequencing, tSMS(TM), technology allows direct measurement of billions
of strands of DNA enabling scientists to perform experiments and ask
questions never before possible. Helicos is a recipient of the $1,000
genome grant and committed to providing scientists the tools to unlock
the era of genomic medicine. The company's corporate headquarters are
located at One Kendall Square, Building 700, Cambridge, MA 02139, and
its telephone number is (617) 264-1800. For more information, please
visit www.helicosbio.com Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on
historical information are forward-looking statements which are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.This press release contains
express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other
things, the prospective commercial and scientific value of the Stanford
Institute's publication in Nature Biotechnology discussed in this press
release, management's expectations surrounding the future of human
genome resequencing initiatives, and management's plans, objectives and
strategies. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but
are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are
beyond Helicos' control, which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements.
In particular, the risks and uncertainties include, among other things,
our ability to successfully complete and/or scale the manufacturing and
commercialization process for the Helicos Genetic Analysis System; our
history of operating losses and ability to achieve profitability; our
ability to sustain and scale our manufacturing capabilities; the
research and development spending levels of academic, clinical and
governmental research institutions and pharmaceutical, biotechnology and
agriculture companies who may purchase our Helicos Genetic Analysis
System; our reliance on third-party suppliers; competition; changing
technology and customer requirements; our ability to operate in an
emerging market; market acceptance of our technology; the length of our
sales and implementation cycles; our dependence on large contracts for
the sale and implementation of our Helicos Genetic Analysis System;
failure of our technology and products; our ability to maintain customer
relationships and contracts; ethical, legal and social concerns
surrounding the use of genetic information; our ability to retain our
personnel and hire additional skilled personnel; our ability to manage
our growth while operating with limited resources; our ability to
control our operating expenses; general economic and business
conditions; our ability to obtain capital when desired on favorable
terms; and the volatility of the market price of our common stock.
Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date hereof. Helicos undertakes no obligation to update or revise the
information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new
information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional
disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by Helicos, see the
disclosure contained in Helicos' public filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. 
SOURCE: Helicos BioSciences Corporation
Investor Relations:
Helicos BioSciences Corporation
Susan Shepard, 617-264-1850
Copyright Business Wire 2009
|
