Quantum-Si Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Quantum-Si (NasdaqGM:QSI) - **Industry**: Life Sciences Tools and Diagnostics - **Technology**: Utilizes semiconductor chip technology for single-molecule protein sequencing with products including the Platinum instrument and QSI Cloud software [3][4] Key Points and Arguments Product Portfolio and Technology - **Current Products**: The first-generation technology includes the Platinum and Platinum Pro instruments, which have been in the market for about three years [4] - **Business Model**: Operates on a razor-razor blade model where customers purchase the machine and consumables for sample preparation and sequencing [4] - **Upcoming Product**: The Proteus platform represents a significant architectural change, moving optics from consumables to the machine, allowing for higher sequencing output and lower-cost consumables [5][15] Financial Performance and Strategy - **Recent Earnings**: The company has adapted to NIH headwinds by offering alternative purchasing options for the Platinum machine, resulting in 12 machines sold under this program, with over half going to academia [6] - **Publications**: Five publications have been released this year, indicating a strong pipeline and market development [6] - **Cash Position**: Ended Q3 2025 with over $230 million in cash, providing a runway into Q2 2028, which includes 18 months post-Proteus launch [44][46] Proteus Development and Launch Timeline - **Milestones**: Completed sequencing on over 50 runs of the Proteus prototype, achieving this milestone ahead of schedule [7][8] - **Launch Timeline**: Expected to launch Proteus by the end of 2026 [21][22] - **Early Access Program**: Targeting big centers with core labs for testing and comparison against existing technologies [26][28] Pricing Strategy - **Price Range**: Anticipated pricing for Proteus is between $300,000 and $500,000, reflecting its advanced capabilities compared to the current Platinum device priced at $125,000 [23][24] - **Market Accessibility**: The pricing strategy aims to balance value capture with accessibility to avoid constraining the number of potential users [25] R&D and Technological Advancements - **AI and Binding Kinetics**: The integration of AI tools has accelerated the development of engineered protein recognizers, enhancing the ability to achieve full proteome coverage [30][31] - **Proteome Coverage Goals**: Aiming to demonstrate coverage of all 20 amino acids by 2026, which would enable advanced applications in single amino acid variants and post-translational modifications (PTMs) [33] Commercialization Strategy - **Sales Strategy**: Considering various sales models for Proteus, including trade-ins for existing Platinum users, while leaning towards capital sales [39][40] - **Long-term Focus**: Emphasis on capital efficiency and targeted investments to support the Proteus launch and subsequent commercialization efforts [46][47] Additional Important Insights - **Engineering and Chemistry Hurdles**: Early data from Proteus shows improvements across all metrics compared to the Platinum machine, indicating a de-risked program moving towards commercialization [10][12] - **Controlled Cleavage Technology**: Future versions of Proteus may incorporate controlled cleavage technology to enhance sequencing capabilities [41][43] - **Strategic Opportunities**: Open to exploring strategic opportunities and technologies that align with Quantum-Si's goals, while maintaining focus on the Proteus launch [47]