In November 2012 Helicos filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and in February 2014 the firm ceased business operations. Assets were purchased by SeqLL. Helicos BioSciences Corporation had been a life sciences company developing molecular diagnostic assays using its innovative genetic analysis technologies. Helicos developed a proprietary single molecule sequencing platform capable of sequencing DNA or RNA directly, allowing the development of assays with significant advantages including little to no sample preparation cost or time, very low sample quantity and quality requirements, quantitative accuracy and high throughput. Currently, using its one-step DirectGene Sequencing approach, the company validated a molecular diagnostic test for assessing a patients risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Possessing the only technology capable of sequencing RNA directly, the company has also successfully launched sequencing services to the academic, government and pharmaceutical sectors
