Helicos BioSciences Announces the World's First-Ever Genome Sequencing Using True Single Molecules

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2005--

Pioneer in High-Speed, High-Sensitivity True Single Molecule Sequencing (tSMS(TM)) Conducts First Successful M13 Sequencing Using Non-Amplified Single Molecule-Based Technology

In a first-of-its-kind achievement in high-speed sequencing, Helicos BioSciences today announced that it has successfully sequenced the M13 genome, by utilizing its non-amplified True Single Molecule Sequencing (tSMS(TM)) technology in conjunction with its SimplePrep(TM) genome preparation technique. Sequencing of M13 was conducted on the entire genome, including so-called homopolymeric sequences.

"This marks an unprecedented achievement," said Stanley N. Lapidus, President and CEO of Helicos BioSciences. "Helicos is the only organization to have successfully sequenced a genome using tSMS(TM) technology - an accomplishment we've worked hard to achieve."

He added, "The simplicity of tSMS(TM) in working directly from genomic DNA and eliminating amplification, provides researchers with unparalleled advantages, potentially enabling them to represent the entire human genome on a single glass substrate - and to sequence it in a day, and not years."

About tSMS(TM)

tSMS(TM) is a technique that enables researchers to rapidly and accurately sequence individual molecules of DNA. This allows direct interrogation of the single molecule as opposed to an amplified population of molecules.

The advantages of tSMS(TM) over amplified molecule sequencing include: no PCR bias, no errors introduced by amplification, and no dephasing issues commonly present in amplified molecule sequencing. In addition, tSMS(TM) promises the highest possible throughput and enables reagent cost savings on the order of 1,000 times less than Sanger sequencing.

About Helicos BioSciences

Helicos BioSciences Corporation began operations in February 2004, after raising $27 million from a top-tier investment consortium. Helicos is developing instruments and reagents for the high-speed sequencing of DNA and RNA with the highest possible sensitivity. The Helicos technology, based on the work of Dr. Stephen Quake and Dr. Ido Braslavsky, promises to revolutionize biomedical research and healthcare.

tSMS(TM) will allow the comparison of genes and genomes from thousands of individuals or cells, and allow the detection of very rare mutations. High-speed, ultra-sensitive sequencing will enable biomedical experiments never before possible. Ensuing discoveries will lead to accurate molecular diagnostics for cancer and other diseases, individualized drug therapies, and personalized medical treatments.