SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Fluidigm Corporation (NASDAQ:FLDM) today announced preliminary revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.

Estimated total revenue for the third quarter of 2016, based on management’s preliminary analysis, was approximately $22.2 million, a decrease of 23% from $28.6 million in the third quarter of 2015. In the third quarter, instrument revenue fell short of expectations and was approximately $9.2 million, representing a decline of 39% compared to the year ago period. The shortfall versus expectations in instrument revenue was driven primarily by lower-than-expected sales of Helios™ systems. These financial results are preliminary and subject to completion of our financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 and the review of those financial statements by our independent registered public accounting firm.

In light of our assessment of preliminary third quarter results, we are suspending our full year 2016 guidance. We will provide a