CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–Helicos BioSciences Corporation (NASDAQ: HLCS) announced today the introduction of a series of new single molecule sequencing kits and run configurations for the Helicos® Genetic Analysis System that will expand its versatility for customers. These new products and configurations, available without any System hardware upgrades, offer customers the ability to tailor parameters of the System to the specific application and number of samples under study. The parameters include:

– Choosing the use of 1 or 2 flow cells and between 1 and 50 channels

– Adjusting the number of strands of DNA imaged

– Selecting run times between 2.5 and 8 days

“The introduction of these new kits is part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen the utility of the Helicos Genetic Analysis System. Our current customers have asked for the flexibility to run fewer samples with shorter run times…we listened and delivered. These and other improvements were accomplished with no changes to the hardware and are now available to all of our current and future customers,” stated Ron Lowy, Helicos CEO.

“The 25 channel kit with lower run-time, in particular, fills a need I have. Samples come in for sequencing on the HeliScope instrument in bunches. Periodically we have a lull, so it is terrific to be able to load what we have and go. At the end of the day, it is all about getting the data to the researcher faster, and the new kits and configurations help us do that!” stated Paul Morrison from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, a Helicos customer.

Kit specifications, delivery information and pricing are available through our Sales department at 877-2-HELICOS, or at sales@helicosbio.com.

The Helicos Genetic Analysis System is the world’s first and only commercially available, single molecule sequencing technology, and enables scientists to conduct revolutionary studies in the fields of genome biology, cancer research, common diseases, and microbiology without DNA ligation or amplification. Genetic analysis with Helicos’ technology eliminates the biases, complexity and errors introduced by DNA amplification, requires minute amounts of starting material, is amenable to the analysis of degraded nucleic acids, and provides the most direct and accurate view of biological samples.

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(TM), 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 two $1,000 genome grants and 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. For more information, please visit www.helicosbio.com.

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 Company’s expectations regarding future sales and adoption of the Helicos® Genetic Analysis System and technology, the utility and versatility of the new sequencing kits 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 sustain and scale our 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.