PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB), a leading developer of high-quality, highly accurate sequencing solutions, announced that Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) has chosen the Revio HiFi sequencing system for its Long-Read Sequencing Flagship Project. This initiative aims to generate the largest long-read sequencing dataset in Southeast Asia, marking a significant advancement for precision medicine in Singapore.

As part of Singapore’s three-phase National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme, the current phase of the NPM aims to transform healthcare in Singapore and improve patient outcomes through new insights into the Asian genome. Hence, this collaboration will harness PacBio's state-of-the-art HiFi sequencing technology to offer profound insights into genetic diversity, disease mechanisms, and clinical diagnoses within Singapore’s multi-ethnic population.

This partnership highlights the critical role of PacBio's HiFi sequencing technology in advancing precision medicine. Beyond the capabilities of traditional short-read sequencing technologies, PacBio's long-read sequencing provides comprehensive genomic coverage, enabling the detection of large structural variations and DNA methylation, providing a more complete picture of the genome. This multi-omics approach, combining whole genome sequencing (WGS), RNA full-length sequencing, fibre sequencing, and methylation analysis, positions PacBio as an essential contributor to the success of this joint effort with PRECISE.

"I am delighted that PRECISE has selected our Revio system for their extensive, flagship long-read sequencing project in Singapore," said Christian Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer of PacBio. "PRECISE chose PacBio HiFi technology for its capacity to deliver complete and accurate genomes. This project exemplifies Revio’s unique ability to provide differentiated solutions for large-scale, multi-thousand-sample, whole genome sequencing projects."

PacBio's joint effort with PRECISE is set to elevate precision medicine in Singapore, leveraging highly-accurate long-read sequencing to drive scientific breakthroughs and enhance clinical outcomes. Through significant product contributions, investment in local expertise, and a comprehensive data platform, PacBio is dedicated to the success of this transformative initiative.

Key highlights of the partnership

Comprehensive Long-Read Genomic Data

PacBio will generate high-quality phased methylome and genomic information for a multi-thousand-sample whole genomes sequencing project, including:

• 60x HiFi depth for Pan-Asian reference genomes.
• 20x HiFi depth for multi-omics analysis.
• 30x HiFi depth for unresolved and research cases in cancer and rare diseases.

Advanced Sequencing Infrastructure

PacBio will establish advanced sequencing and data analysis pipelines in Singapore, including a centralised library preparation facility and sequencing laboratory for high throughput production.

Appointed Service Provider

Macrogen Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, the first CAP-accredited service provider in Singapore for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), will execute the PacBio long-read sequencing production.

Data Integration and Secure Access

PacBio will utilise AWS cloud storage and workflow capabilities to ensure secure and efficient data processing and delivery for PRECISE researchers and clinicians.

The comprehensive efforts outlined in this partnership underscore the commitment of both PacBio and PRECISE to pioneering advancements in genomic research and precision medicine. By combining cutting-edge technology, extensive genomic data, and dedicated local expertise, this joint effort is poised to deliver ground breaking discoveries that can help shape the future of healthcare in Singapore and beyond.