GENEWIZ And Pacific Biosciences Announce Winner Of The 2017 Structural Variant SMRT® Grant Program

MENLO PARK, Calif. and SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., April 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (NASDAQ: PACB), the leader in long-read, high-resolution sequencing, and GENEWIZ, a leading global genomics service provider, are pleased to announce that Professor Stephen Scherer, Ph.D., Co-founder and Director of the Centre for Applied Genomics at University of Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and Director of the University of Toronto McLaughlin Centre, is the winner of the 2017 Structural Variant SMRT Grant. Launched at the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics last October, the Structural Variant SMRT Grant was co-sponsored by Pacific Biosciences and GENEWIZ.

Author of more than 500 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Scherer and his laboratory have discovered numerous disease susceptibility genes and made foundational contributions to the discovery of global copy number variation as a common type of genetic variation. With this award, Dr. Scherer will receive long-read whole genome sequencing on the PacBio Sequel System at the GENEWIZ laboratory to identify potential structural variants with a high penetrance in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Low-coverage, PacBio whole genome sequencing provides rapid discovery of common structural variants for population studies and resolves rare structural variants unique to an individual, or shared within a disease cohort, with high sensitivity and a very low false-discovery rate.

The SMRT Grant program was open to genomics researchers around the world, and the winner was chosen by a panel of scientists. To see a full list of past SMRT Grant recipients visit: http://www.pacb.com/smrtgrant.

"We are very excited to partner with GENEWIZ, one of our newest certified service providers for the Sequel System. Their extensive experience delivering genome and transcriptome solutions to researchers studying genetic disorders makes them an ideal partner for demonstrating the utility of long-read sequencing in identifying structural variants," said Kevin Corcoran, Senior Vice President of Market Development for Pacific Biosciences.

"Advanced technology like PacBio SMRT Sequencing allows us to peer deeply into the human genome and identify disease-causing variations. By partnering with top technology providers like Pacific Biosciences, our seasoned team of Ph.D.-level staff scientists bring researchers like Dr. Scherer access to state-of-the-art platforms to advance their important work," said Dr. Ginger Zhou, Vice President, Global Next Generation Sequencing for GENEWIZ.

For more information about structural variant detection using the Sequel System, visit: https://www.pacb.com/sv

For more information on whole genome sequencing with GENEWIZ , including long-read sequencing on the Sequel System, visit: https://www.genewiz.com/ngs

ABOUT GENEWIZ
GENEWIZ is a global leader in genomics services that enable research scientists within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agriculture, environmental and clean energy, academic, and government institutions to advance their discoveries. Customers rely on our unique and proprietary genomics technologies and services, backed by our specialized experts in Sanger sequencing, gene synthesis, molecular biology, next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and GLP regulatory-compliant services.

Headquartered in South Plainfield, NJ, GENEWIZ is privately-held with a network of laboratories in Boston, MA; Washington, D.C. Metro; Research Triangle Park, NC; San Diego, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Seattle, WA. International locations include Beijing, Suzhou, Tianjin, and Guangzhou, China; Takeley, United Kingdom; and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, visit www.genewiz.com , and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, WeChat, and Weibo.

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 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 the suitability or utility of methods or products for particular applications, future availability, uses, quality or performance of, or benefits of using, products or technologies, 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.

SOURCE GENEWIZ