CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–Helicos BioSciences (Nasdaq:HLCS) today announced the release of transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) datasets on the HeliSphere™ Technology Center (https://open.helicosbio.com), the company’s open access Web site for sharing Helicos datasets and bioinformatics software tools. Helicos’s amplification and ligation-free approach virtually eliminates the creation of false-positive splicing and fusion events, frequently observed in other RNA-Seq datasets.

Helicos™ RNA-Seq represents a powerful application for the Helicos™ Genetic Analysis System by providing researchers with the ability to obtain deep sequence coverage of the transcriptome for the elucidation of novel transcripts, novel splice forms, and allele-specific expression patterns, without the biases, artifacts and complexity introduced by amplification and ligation. RNA-Seq was performed using polyadenylated RNA from human brain and liver tissues, resulting in the generation of ~16 million aligned reads per channel for each sample.

With the high number of reads per channel and an extremely simple sample preparation process, the Helicos™ platform provides the most comprehensive view of the transcriptome for the lowest cost, allowing the analysis of many samples in a single 50-channel run of the HeliScope™ Single Molecule Sequencer.

“Our collaborators have already made significant discoveries with the results of Helicos RNA-Seq and are appreciating the benefits of analyzing the transcriptome using the True Single Molecule Sequencing™ approach, without ligation or amplification. We are excited to now provide our customers with the methods to perform this analysis themselves.” said Steve Lombardi, President of Helicos.

The amplification/ligation-free Helicos RNA-Seq protocol has been released to a limited set of customers and is expected to be commercialized later this year.

About Helicos BioSciences

Helicos BioSciences is a life science company focused on innovative genetic analysis technologies for the research, drug discovery, and diagnostic markets. Helicos’ proprietary True Single Molecule Sequencing, tSMS™, technology allows direct measurement of billions of strands of DNA enabling scientists to perform experiments and ask questions never before possible. Helicos is a recipient of the $1,000 genome grant and is committed to providing scientists the tools to unlock the era of genomic medicine. The company’s corporate headquarters are located at One Kendall Square, Building 700, Cambridge, MA 02139, and its telephone number is (617) 264-1800.

Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, the prospective value of the Helicos RNA-Seq protocol discussed in this press release, and management’s plans, objectives and strategies. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Helicos’ control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. In particular, the risks and uncertainties include, among other things, our ability to successfully complete and/or scale the manufacturing and commercialization process for the Helicos Genetic Analysis System; our history of operating losses and ability to achieve profitability; our ability to establish manufacturing capabilities; the research and development spending levels of academic, clinical and governmental research institutions and pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agriculture companies who may purchase our Helicos Genetic Analysis System; our reliance on third-party suppliers; competition; changing technology and customer requirements; our ability to operate in an emerging market; market acceptance of our technology; the length of our sales and implementation cycles; our dependence on large contracts for the sale and implementation of our Helicos Genetic Analysis System; failure of our technology and products; our ability to maintain customer relationships and contracts; ethical, legal and social concerns surrounding the use of genetic information; our ability to retain our personnel and hire additional skilled personnel; our ability to manage our growth while operating with limited resources; our ability to control our operating expenses; general economic and business conditions; our ability to obtain capital when desired on favorable terms; and the volatility of the market price of our common stock. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Helicos undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by Helicos, see the disclosure contained in Helicos’ public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.