Sequenom Laboratories Launches The Enhanced Sequencing Series For The MaterniT21™ PLUS Test

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequenom, Inc. SQNM, a life sciences company providing innovative testing and genetic analysis solutions, announced today its wholly owned subsidiary, Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine, doing business as Sequenom Laboratories, has launched the Enhanced Sequencing Series for its MaterniT21™ PLUS laboratory-developed test (LDT). The MaterniT21 PLUS test will begin reporting additional findings for the presence of subchromosomal microdeletions and autosomal trisomies for chromosomes 16 and 22, in addition to the previously announced additional findings for sex chromosome aneuploidies involving an abnormal number of the X or Y chromosomes. These additional findings complement the MaterniT21 PLUS test core identification of trisomies for chromosome 21, chromosome 18 and chromosome 13. With this expansion, the MaterniT21 PLUS test is the first-of-its-kind noninvasive prenatal technology (NIPT) to provide these comprehensive results from a maternal blood draw. 

Sequenom Laboratories will begin reporting on these select, clinically relevant microdeletions, including  22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge), Cri-du-chat syndrome, Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome, 1p36 deletion syndrome, as well as trisomies 16 and 22 the last week of October.  Results from a method validation study demonstrated high performance of the MaterniT21 PLUS test (>99 percent specificity) in accurately detecting these autosomal trisomies and select microdeletions.  

"This month marks the second anniversary of Sequenom Laboratories introduction of the industry-leading MaterniT21 PLUS test, and we are pleased to celebrate this significant milestone by ushering in these important new changes with the MaterniT21 PLUS test Enhanced Sequencing Series," said Bill Welch, President and COO of Sequenom, Inc. "This is a testament to Sequenom Laboratories' ongoing research and development efforts and supports the value of using massively parallel sequencing to deliver clinically meaningful information. With the addition of this new content, we are continuing to deliver on the promise of our technology by providing health care providers with unprecedented results that enables them to deliver comprehensive, accurate information to their patients."

Sequenom Laboratories was the first to market a noninvasive prenatal LDT for trisomies for chromosomes 21, 18 and 13. With the Enhanced Sequencing Series, the test will begin reporting on select, clinically relevant microdeletions, including  22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge), Cri-du-chat syndrome, Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome, 1p36 deletion syndrome, as well as two additional trisomies (Trisomy 16 and Trisomy 22). The test is intended for use in pregnant women at increased risk for fetal chromosomal aneuploidies and can be used as early as 10 weeks' gestation. Estimates suggest there are about 750,000 pregnancies at high risk for fetal aneuploidy each year in the United States. The MaterniT21 PLUS test is available exclusively through the Sequenom Laboratories as a testing service provided to clinicians. To learn more about the test, please visit www.laboratories.sequenom.com.

About Sequenom

Sequenom, Inc. SQNM is a life sciences company committed to improving healthcare through revolutionary genomic and genetic analysis solutions. Sequenom develops innovative technology, products and diagnostic tests that target and serve discovery and clinical research, and molecular diagnostic markets. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Sequenom maintains a Web site at http://www.sequenom.com to which Sequenom regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as additional information about Sequenom. Interested persons can subscribe on the Sequenom Web site to email alerts or RSS feeds that are sent automatically when Sequenom issues press releases, files its reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission or posts certain other information to the Web site.

About Sequenom Laboratories

Sequenom Laboratories, a CAP accredited and CLIA-certified molecular diagnostics laboratory, has developed a broad range of laboratory tests, with a focus on prenatal and ophthalmological diseases and conditions. Branded under the name SensiGene™, MaterniT21™ PLUS, HerediT™, NextView™ and RetnaGene™, these molecular genetic laboratory-developed tests provide early patient management information for obstetricians, geneticists, maternal fetal medicine specialists and ophthalmologists. Sequenom Laboratories is changing the landscape in genetic disorder diagnostics using proprietary cutting edge technologies. 

SEQUENOM®, MaterniT21™ PLUS, SensiGene™, HerediT™, NextView™, and RetnaGene™, are trademarks of Sequenom, Inc.  All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the expected reporting and the timing of reporting of Sequenom Laboratories' Enhanced Sequencing Series for its MaterniT21 PLUS test, including additional findings for the presence of subchromosomal microdeletions and autosomal trisomies for chromosomes 16 and 22, the effect or impact of the Enhanced Sequencing Series on the value of using massively parallel sequencing to deliver clinically meaningful information, Sequenom Laboratories' ability to deliver on the promise of its industry-leading technology, Sequenom's commitment to improving healthcare through revolutionary genomic and genetic analysis solutions, and changing the landscape in genetic disorder diagnostics, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the risks and uncertainties associated with Sequenom's ability to develop and commercialize new technologies and products, particularly new technologies such as prenatal and other diagnostics and laboratory developed tests, Sequenom's ability to manage its existing cash resources or raise additional cash resources, competition, intellectual property protection and intellectual property rights of others, government regulation particularly with respect to diagnostic products and laboratory developed tests, obtaining or maintaining regulatory approvals, ongoing litigation, including patent litigation, and other risks detailed from time to time in Sequenom, Inc.'s most recent Quarterly and Annual Reports on Securities and Exchange Commission Forms 10-Q and 10-K, respectively, and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on current information that may change and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Sequenom undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the issuance of this press release.

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SOURCE Sequenom, Inc.