MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Complete Genomics Inc. (Nasdaq:GNOM), the whole human genome sequencing company, today announced that it has signed four new distributor agreements with well-established Asia-Pacific life sciences companies — GeneWorks Pty Ltd. In Australia, Cyagen Biosciences in China, AR Brown Co. Ltd. in Japan, and BML in Korea — to better serve customers in those regions. These distributors will complement Complete Genomics' high-quality sequencing by enhancing service accessibility, convenience, and the efficient delivery of data to its regional customers.
The dealers bring experience in sample acquisition, handling and management, and data analysis and bioinformatics. These arrangements will provide Complete Genomics' customers with sample preparation assistance at the beginning of the sequencing process and additional data analysis, if required, at the end to maximize the discovery potential of Complete Genomics' highly accurate data.
"We are excited to see demand growing for our high-quality sequencing service in the Asia-Pacific region," said Dan Floerke, director of Market Development, Asia-Pacific at Complete Genomics. "With the support of our distributors, our goal is to deliver the best possible service to the customers in this region by providing easy access to our whole genome sequencing data and helping to shorten their discovery times."
Complete Genomics' services provide customers with further insights into the genetic underpinnings of human diseases, including complex diseases such as cancer. For the genomes delivered to their customers in the first quarter, the median exome call rates were above 98 percent and median genome call rates above 96 percent — both industry-leading metrics. More than 35 percent of the 5,000 genomes that the company has sequenced to date have been cancer genomes. In addition, when the allele fraction was 20 percent, Complete Genomics' cancer sequencing pipeline achieved 92 percent relative sensitivity.
Complete Genomics is able to support its accuracy claims by publicly releasing the data for review. In February 2011, Complete Genomics publicly released 60 genomes and has since updated the data set with an additional 13 genomes, including two tumor-normal pairs. With this dataset, researchers have access to a comprehensive collection of small variations in the diversity panel, reporting of structural variation breakpoints composed into events, and visualization of genome-wide genomic alterations summarized in Circos plots. In addition, a number of papers have been published based on this data.
About Complete Genomics
Complete Genomics is the whole human genome sequencing company that has developed and commercialized an innovative DNA sequencing service. The Complete Genomics Analysis Platform (CGA™ Platform) combines Complete Genomics' proprietary human genome sequencing technology with advanced informatics and data management software. Additional information can be found at http://www.completegenomics.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain statements in this press release, including with respect to business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, and actual results may differ materially from our expectations. The following factors, without limitation, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements actual market growth in the Asia-Pacific region, customer acceptance of the Company's services, and competitive pressures. More information on risk factors that could affect our results can be found in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 9, 2012, including those listed in that filing under the heading "Risk Factors." We disclaim any obligation to update information contained in our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.