[AllSeq]

Based on the (very polite) request we received to take down the info we had shared, I'd say these instruments have not been released yet, stealth or otherwise. But since we weren't given any extra info, I'm just guessing.

Should have said they've not been 'launched'. They certainly may have been 'released' in the form of early access.

[r.rosati]

Should have said they've not been 'launched'. They certainly may have been 'released' in the form of early access.

Some of us have one already.

Some labs have all the fun. :/

[Zaag]

And is it already delivering on the read lengths and output promised for the end of 2013?

[Geneus]

This is an "unannounced" sequencer AFAWK so you must be participating in a test program under an NDA?

What a genius.

[GenoMax]

What a genius.

I thought the only default option one had was to deny existence/all knowledge of the "entity" that was subject of a NDA. I was surprised at your admission in that context.

[Geneus]

I thought the only default option one had was to deny existence/all knowledge of the "entity" that was subject of a NDA. I was surprised at your admission in that context.

I'm from New Jersey...we bury NDA's in the Meadowlands or under Giants Stadium.

[shiva_knows]

I'm from New Jersey...we bury NDA's in the Meadowlands or under Giants Stadium.

Does that help or hinder your execution of responsibilities as a Chief Business Officer, Don?

[AllSeq]

The embargo has been lifted so we can finally talk about the new Ion S5 – it’s basically a streamlined combination of the PGM and Proton made as easy to use as possible for ‘novice users’. See our blog post for more details and then tell us what you think: A useful addition to the NGS market? Too little too late?

[GW_OK]

Does anyone know reagent costs? All I'm seeing discussed is equipment price.

[AllSeq]

Does anyone know reagent costs? All I'm seeing discussed is equipment price.

We haven't seen list prices, but we asked during the media event and they said "roughly in line with current PGM and Proton prices". It sounds like the kits may be a bit higher, but the 'per sample' pricing should more or less be the same.

[avilella]

Any news on the price per gigabase on each of these? 520, 530 and 540 runs?

[Xray1]

As far as I can tell, costs are almost the same when comparing PGM-318 vs S5-520 and Proton PI vs S5-540. Correct?

So really what is missing with the S5 is the low-output low-cost option of the PGM-314 and -316. Not sure if that is such a smart idea, since there are labs around that want to run a low throughput sample quickly without waiting for more samples to come in. That has been one of the big plus points for Ion IMHO, plus the extremely well working Ampliseq custom panels......

[Geneus]

As far as I can tell, costs are almost the same when comparing PGM-318 vs S5-520 and Proton PI vs S5-540. Correct?

So really what is missing with the S5 is the low-output low-cost option of the PGM-314 and -316. Not sure if that is such a smart idea, since there are labs around that want to run a low throughput sample quickly without waiting for more samples to come in. That has been one of the big plus points for Ion IMHO, plus the extremely well working Ampliseq custom panels......

I can't really address the Proton (we don't use them in our labs), but we have PGM's running in our CAP-CLIA facility and we will, for the most part, be using them for development work going forward. All of our production is going to the S5's (we have the XL and are ordering more). When coupled to the CHEF it makes for an extremely efficient workflow (we run AmpliSeq panels) and I suspect other diagnostic labs will be very happy with this combo. We have validated the CHEF-S5XL in our processes and we really like the 540 chip. It gives us a lot of "head-space" and is very cost effective for our larger projects.

As far as the quality of sequencing, so far, so good (maybe even a bit better than the PGM).

[glowpasa]

Oh never mind...