As we welcome a new year, we’re energized by what’s ahead—because of what we’ve accomplished together. 2024 was a year defined by transformative progress, made possible through our customers’ discoveries, their breakthroughs, and passion for advancement. It’s been a journey of pushing genomics research forward, driven by shared ambition and collaboration. From foundation-shifting discoveries to meaningful partnerships, every milestone reflects what’s possible when we advance science, together. Here’s a snapshot—by the numbers—of the incredible progress we made in 2024 and a glimpse of the momentum we’re carrying into 2025.
Nearly a dozen sample types
Starting the year off strong, we unveiled the Nanobind PanDNA kit in January at the PAG conference in San Diego. This all-in-one solution supports 11+ sample types for DNA extraction, including cultured cells, bacteria, whole blood, tissue, plant nuclei, insect, and now saliva samples. By consolidating capabilities into a single, flexible workflow, this kit empowers researchers with a streamlined approach to generating high-quality libraries for optimized sequencing.
60% faster workflow, 40% cost reduction
February saw the launch of the HiFi prep kit 96 and HiFi plex prep kit 96, delivering automated, scalable, and cost-effective library preparation solutions. With the HiFi Plex Prep Kit 96 including 384 validated barcode adapters, customers have the groundbreaking ability to run 1,536 samples in a single Revio run. With these kits researchers benefit from a 40% cost reduction and 60% faster workflows—transforming high-throughput sequencing across fields like cancer research, microbial genomics, and agrigenomics.
6 cities across 3 continents
Kicking off our inaugural PRISM event series throughout the spring, we hit 6 cities on 3 continents to bring together the brightest minds in genomics. From immersive workshops on cutting-edge sequencing tools to collaborative discussions led by genomics luminaries, PRISM 2024 became a hub of inspiration. Energized by the enthusiastic customer accounts of connections made and insight gained, we are eager to announce our 2025 PRISM dates soon.
20 targeted genes
In March, we introduced the PureTarget repeat expansion panel, which enables the analysis of 20 genes associated with neurological disorders like ALS, Fragile X, and Huntington’s disease. This panel allows the comprehensive analysis of challenging-to-sequence genes, particularly those with pathogenic repeat expansions. By retaining methylation signatures, the PureTarget panel provides a complete genomic picture, empowering scientists to make a transformative impact on research into these debilitating diseases.
10,000 human genomes
March proved to be a big month for PacBio with the announcement of a groundbreaking collaboration with the Estonia National Biobank to sequence 10,000 human genomes using Revio systems. These genomes will be sequenced and analyzed over the next two years by the Institute of Genomics at the University of Tartu. This effort supports the population health goals of the Center for Personalized Medicine, aimed at advancing the understanding of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and rare genetic disorders.
1,000-genome CoLoRS database
We jumpstarted the summer in collaboration with the international Consortium for Long-Read Sequencing (CoLoRS) and launched the first-ever HiFi long-read variant frequency database, incorporating data from nearly 1,000 genomes. This free, publicly available resource enhances the detection of complex variants, empowering researchers to make breakthroughs in rare disease research.
10x mutation detection on Onso system compared to SBS
In a paper published in August, TGen researchers compared the ability of SBS vs. PacBio SBB to identify and quantify rare drug-resistant subpopulations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis samples. The authors found that SBB on Onso could detect drug-resistance mutations at a frequency of 0.01% without error correction, a 10x improvement compared to SBS and competitive with error-corrected SBS data. SBB showed an 8.5X reduction in observed errors compared to SBS alone. This publication speaks to the heightening enthusiasm for Onso SBB technology’s ability to achieve groundbreaking limits of detection.
7% improvement in rare disease solve rate
Just on the heels of this exciting Onso publication comes a breakthrough Revio paper: HudsonAlpha researchers analyzed a neurodegenerative disease cohort of 96 probands that were negative for causal variants with traditional short-read methods. In re-sequencing these probands with HiFi long reads, the authors found new disease-relevant findings in 16.7% of cases, a 7% improvement in solve rate over short reads. Of these cases with new pathogenic variants, 44% included variants that were only detected by long-read sequencing and missed entirely by previous short-read sequencing. From these findings, the authors conclude that “long-read genome sequencing represents the next phase of […] acceleration by facilitating a substantial increase in variant comprehensiveness and accuracy.”
4x reduction in DNA input
Announced in the leadup to ASHG in November, SPRQ chemistry prompted excitement in the genomics community by reducing DNA input requirements by 4x, enabling broader sample compatibility and cutting sequencing costs by up to 50%. The enhanced output per SMRT Cell and new methylation calling capabilities provide researchers with a richer multiomic view, unlocking new opportunities for discovery in oncology, neuroscience, and beyond.
60 Gb with Vega
In arguably our most exciting announcement of the year, we unveiled at ASHG the Vega system, our first benchtop HiFi sequencer. Delivering 60 Gb in a single SMRT Cell, Vega provides all the functionality of the Revio system in a compact and affordable platform, revolutionizing the accessibility of HiFi sequencing. By bringing HiFi sequencing in house at an affordable price, Vega dramatically reduces wait times and is the perfect solution for researchers looking to adopt long-read sequencing across a variety of applications.
15+ conferences showcasing innovation
To close out the month of November, we attended the Association for Molecular Pathology’s annual conference in Vancouver and were exhilarated by the mounting enthusiasm for PacBio sequencing in clinical research. AMP concludes our participation in more than 15 conferences throughout the year, each providing an opportunity to foster the exchange of ideas and innovation in genomics and, most importantly, connect with the scientific community face to face. These gatherings allow us to forge new partnerships and explore new possibilities in genomics together.
13 webinars, 5 SMRT Grants, endless possibilities
In thinking back on points of connection throughout the year, we reflect on additional ways we fostered community through initiatives like webinars and sequencing grants. Throughout the year we hosted 13 webinars, bringing together scientists to share advancements in their fields achieved through the power of genomics. Webinar highlights included discussions on the application of long-read sequencing in population genomics, the latest breakthroughs in clinical research, and the transformative power of HiFi sequencing in biopharma. We also proudly awarded 5 SMRT Grants to researchers advancing scientific discovery through PacBio sequencing in 2024. The SMRT Grant program supports innovative projects across disciplines, reflecting our commitment to empowering the research community and the transformative potential of PacBio sequencing technologies.
4 dimensions of genomics
2024 was truly the year of unlocking multiomic potential. The release of SPRQ chemistry unleashed new dimensions of multiomic analysis to HiFi sequencing by improving accuracy for 5mC calling and introducing 6mA calling for chromatin accessibility studies, all from a single run. The impact of this potential can already be envisioned with the announcement of our collaboration with Precision Health Research Singapore (PRECISE). This partnership integrates whole genome sequencing, full-length RNA sequencing, chromatin fiber sequencing, and methylation analysis, for the largest long-read sequencing dataset in Southeast Asia, marking a significant advancement for precision medicine.
Words of the year: expansion and accessibility
In our final reflection on 2024, PacBio’s journey was defined by expanding possibilities and amplifying access. We broadened the reach of HiFi sequencing—enhancing platform throughput and forging global partnerships that empower discovery on a larger scale. At the same time, accessibility took center stage with the launch of the Vega system. With its streamlined design and cost-effective approach, Vega has made HiFi sequencing more attainable than ever, bringing HiFi sequencing within reach for labs around the world.
What’s ahead
We are hitting the ground running as we look to the upcoming Plant and Animal Genome Conference in San Diego. Join us there as we celebrate a Bright New Day and spotlight the promise of Vega and SPRQ to fuel discoveries in agriculture, biodiversity, and environmental health.
Here’s to another year of breakthroughs and innovation. Thank you for being part of the journey!