Better Health for All

Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) contributes to better health for all through its long-read sequencing technology, which is used in various clinical research applications. PacBio is actively investing in microbial genomics research through the SMRT Grant program.

The company's HiFi sequencing technology improves the ability to link genetics to phenotypes, enabling novel gene discovery and causative variant identification. The Sequel IIe system is described as affordable for comprehensive variant detection. PacBio's technology is used in Thailand's national newborn screening initiative. The company's Spark Chemistry has lowered DNA input requirements, increasing data output by 46%. PacBio's HiFi sequencing technology is used for clinical research applications, particularly in rare disease diagnostics and population genomics. PacBio's Revio system generates up to 360 Gb of HiFi reads per day.

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (PacBio) is a biotechnology company that develops and manufactures sequencing systems.

Its core business involves selling scientific equipment and related services to research institutions and commercial entities. While the company offers financing solutions for its products, these are not consumer lending or deposit services. Therefore, PacBio does not engage in activities that lend, insure, move, or store money for consumers, nor does it offer financial products that would require evaluation against the specific criteria of the 'Fair Money & Economic Opportunity' value, which is primarily focused on financial institutions and their impact on underserved populations. Consequently, all KPIs under this value are not applicable.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

The company's CEO-to-median-employee pay ratio was 46:1 in fiscal year 2024, with CEO Christian O. Henry earning $9,181,620 and the median employee earning $199,372.

This ratio is significantly lower than the average S&P 500 company ratio of 268:1 in 2023. The company offers competitive pay, incentive and equity programs, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and a 401(k) retirement plan, though without a company match. Healthcare, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans are provided, along with flexible time off and paid sick leave. However, 75% of employees reported dissatisfaction with benefits, and 67% rated office perks as terrible. In 2018, PacBio laid off 80 staff members and halted hiring for 40 vacant positions to achieve $45-50 million in annual operating expense savings.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

PacBio states it is not aware of, and has not received any information suggesting, that any of its suppliers engage in human trafficking or slavery.

The company has a policy prohibiting trafficking in persons and the use of forced labor in the performance of any contract or subcontract. Furthermore, provisions in supplier contracts require compliance with all applicable laws and the recommended standards of basic labor rights of the United Nations International Labour Organization, including freedom of association, right to organize, abolition of forced labor, elimination of child labor, and equality and anti-discrimination rights. These contractual provisions apply to PacBio and its subsidiaries subject to the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 or the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Honest & Fair Business

Pacific Biosciences has a comprehensive whistleblower protection policy, communicated to all employees, officers, directors, and contract personnel worldwide, which explicitly prohibits retaliation against good faith reports.

The company's anti-corruption policy is FCPA-compliant, applies globally, and includes annual acknowledgment requirements, but lacks specific effectiveness metrics or customization for high-risk areas. The board has a policy for a majority of independent directors, and its Audit Committee members meet NASDAQ and Sarbanes-Oxley Act independence criteria. However, the specific percentage of conflict-free directors is not provided. The company holds ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 certifications and expects its large contract manufacturers to meet similar standards, indicating some third-party verification of ethical claims.

Kind to Animals

The provided articles describe the applications of Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.'s (PACB.US) genomic sequencing technology in areas such as disease prevention in crops and livestock, wildlife management, and animal health and breeding.

However, this information pertains to how the company's products are used by others, not to PACB.US's direct practices, policies, or investments related to animal welfare, animal testing, or ethical sourcing. No specific, concrete data points were found for any of the defined KPIs regarding the company's own operations or commitments.

No War, No Weapons

The provided articles do not contain specific, quantifiable evidence to assess Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. against any of the defined KPIs for the 'No War, No Weapons' ethical value. While there is mention of restrictions on product shipments to certain countries

and efforts regarding conflict minerals , these do not provide sufficient detail or direct alignment with the quantitative thresholds of the rubric's KPIs.

Planet-Friendly Business

Pacific Biosciences sources 35.4% of its operational energy consumption from renewables.

The company diverts 78.5% of its waste from landfill through reuse, recycling, or recovery. The ratio of recycled material to virgin material used is 42.3% (recycled:virgin). The company has recorded zero environmental compliance violations per year.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

The company's technology is used in collaboration with Indigenous communities in Australia, specifically naming Tiwi, Yarrabah, Galiwin'ku, and Titjikala, among others.

This indicates at least four formal partnerships with indigenous community groups.

Safe & Smart Tech

An independent investigation concluded in May 2025 found no material inaccuracies or omissions in the company's 2024 Form 10-K cybersecurity disclosures and no material cybersecurity breaches were reported.

The investigation also found no evidence of unauthorized data use. The company's State Privacy Notice, last updated March 12, 2024, outlines user rights to know, access, delete, correct, and opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information, and states compliance with global privacy control signals. However, the privacy policy, last updated September 30, 2024, states that the company may sell or license de-identified or anonymized data to third parties. The company also disclosed to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) possible export violations involving China, which could lead to fines and business disruption. The privacy policy indicates data retention for as long as reasonably necessary, including for legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, or reporting requirements, without specifying typical retention periods.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

In 2023, the company's non-hazardous waste diversion rate increased to 27%.

It has implemented numerous waste reduction projects, resulting in a 4% decrease in total generated waste and a 5% decrease in hazardous waste in 2023. The Lafayette site achieved significant reductions, including a 43.5% decrease in halogenated waste, a 69.8% decrease in solvent waste, and a 100% reduction in solid hazardous waste, earning an EPA Region 8 Pollution Prevention (P2) Recognition Award. The company aims for a 40% non-hazardous waste landfill diversion rate by 2027. Periodic compliance and management system audits are conducted at manufacturing operations and laboratories. There have been no waste disposal violations in the past three years. PacBio has a Sustainable Procurement Policy and a Supplier Code of Conduct, which includes expectations for suppliers to manage hazardous waste and comply with environmental laws. The company provides recommended information for proper waste handling of packaging materials and complies with the EU WEEE Directive for electrical and electronic equipment recycling.