Overview	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Overview [Abstract]
Overview	NOTE 1. OVERVIEW We design, develop and manufacture sequencing systems to help scientists resolve genetically complex problems. Based on our novel Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT®) sequencing technology, our products enable: de novo genome assembly to finish genomes in order to more fully identify, annotate and decipher genomic structures; full-length transcript analysis to improve annotations in reference genomes, characterize alternatively spliced isoforms in important gene families, and find novel genes; targeted sequencing to more comprehensively characterize genetic variations; and real-time kinetic information for epigenome characterization. Our technology provides high accuracy, ultra-long reads, uniform coverage and the ability to simultaneously detect epigenetic changes. PacBio® sequencing systems, including consumables and software, provide a simple and fast end-to-end workflow for SMRT sequencing. Our current products include the Sequel instrument and the Sequel SMRT Cell 1M, which together are capable of sequencing up to approximately one million DNA molecules simultaneously. We are continuously developing new products including the SMRT Cell 8M, which is designed to have up to eight times as much throughput capability as the current Sequel SMRT Cell 1M. We commenced our Early Access Program for the SMRT® Cell 8M chip and platform, the Sequel® II System, in January 2019 and the five Early Access sites selected have installed and operated their Sequel II Systems. Based on the early performance of the Sequel II Systems at these sites, we expect to begin commercial shipments of Sequel II Systems and SMRT Cell 8M products in the early part of the second quarter of 2019. On November 1, 2018, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Illumina, Inc. (“Illumina”) and FC Ops Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which Illumina will acquire us for $8.00 per share of our common stock in an all-cash transaction and FC Ops Corp. will be merged with and into us (the “Merger”), with us surviving the Merger and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina. Completion of the transaction is subject to terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, including expiration or termination of any waiting periods applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the United States Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and clearance under the antitrust laws of certain non-United States jurisdictions. At a Special Meeting of Stockholders held on January 24, 2019, our stockholders, among other things, approved the adoption of the Merger Agreement. We and Illumina have each received a request for additional information and documentary material, commonly referred to as a “second request,” from the United States Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) in connection with the Merger. The FTC’s “second request” has the effect of extending the waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger until the 30th day after substantial compliance by us and Illumina with the “second request,” unless the waiting period is extended voluntarily by the parties or terminated sooner by the FTC. The parties have entered into a timing agreement with the FTC that extends the waiting period of the “second request” to mid-2019. We and Illumina continue to expect the Merger to be completed in mid-2019, at which time we will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina and will cease to be a publicly-traded company. No assurance can be given that the required regulatory approvals will be obtained or that the required conditions to closing will be satisfied, and, even if all such approvals are obtained and the conditions are satisfied, no assurance can be given as to the terms, conditions and timing of the approvals. For more information about the effects of our agreement to be acquired by Illumina please see Item 1A Risk Factors under the section “Risks Related to Our Business”. The names “Pacific Biosciences,” “PacBio,” “SMRT,” “SMRTbell,” “Sequel” and our logo are our trademarks.

NOTE 1. OVERVIEW

We design, develop and manufacture sequencing systems to help scientists resolve genetically complex problems. Based on our novel Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT®) sequencing technology, our products enable: de novo genome assembly to finish genomes in order to more fully identify, annotate and decipher genomic structures; full-length transcript analysis to improve annotations in reference genomes, characterize alternatively spliced isoforms in important gene families, and find novel genes; targeted sequencing to more comprehensively characterize genetic variations; and real-time kinetic information for epigenome characterization. Our technology provides high accuracy, ultra-long reads, uniform coverage and the ability to simultaneously detect epigenetic changes. PacBio® sequencing systems, including consumables and software, provide a simple and fast end-to-end workflow for SMRT sequencing.

Our current products include the Sequel instrument and the Sequel SMRT Cell 1M, which together are capable of sequencing up to approximately one million DNA molecules simultaneously. We are continuously developing new products including the SMRT Cell 8M, which is designed to have up to eight times as much throughput capability as the current Sequel SMRT Cell 1M. We commenced our Early Access Program for the SMRT® Cell 8M chip and platform, the Sequel® II System, in January 2019 and the five Early Access sites selected have installed and operated their Sequel II Systems. Based on the early performance of the Sequel II Systems at these sites, we expect to begin commercial shipments of Sequel II Systems and SMRT Cell 8M products in the early part of the second quarter of 2019.

On November 1, 2018, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Illumina, Inc. (“Illumina”) and FC Ops Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which Illumina will acquire us for $8.00 per share of our common stock in an all-cash transaction and FC Ops Corp. will be merged with and into us (the “Merger”), with us surviving the Merger and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina. Completion of the transaction is subject to terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, including expiration or termination of any waiting periods applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the United States Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and clearance under the antitrust laws of certain non-United States jurisdictions. At a Special Meeting of Stockholders held on January 24, 2019, our stockholders, among other things, approved the adoption of the Merger Agreement. We and Illumina have each received a request for additional information and documentary material, commonly referred to as a “second request,” from the United States Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) in connection with the Merger. The FTC’s “second request” has the effect of extending the waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger until the 30th day after substantial compliance by us and Illumina with the “second request,” unless the waiting period is extended voluntarily by the parties or terminated sooner by the FTC. The parties have entered into a timing agreement with the FTC that extends the waiting period of the “second request” to mid-2019. We and Illumina continue to expect the Merger to be completed in mid-2019, at which time we will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina and will cease to be a publicly-traded company. No assurance can be given that the required regulatory approvals will be obtained or that the required conditions to closing will be satisfied, and, even if all such approvals are obtained and the conditions are satisfied, no assurance can be given as to the terms, conditions and timing of the approvals. For more information about the effects of our agreement to be acquired by Illumina please see Item 1A Risk Factors under the section “Risks Related to Our Business”.

The names “Pacific Biosciences,” “PacBio,” “SMRT,” “SMRTbell,” “Sequel” and our logo are our trademarks.