SAN DIEGO and IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 1,
2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM), a life
sciences company providing innovative diagnostic testing and
genetic analysis solutions, and CombiMatrix Corporation (NASDAQ:
CBMX), a molecular diagnostics laboratory performing DNA-based
testing services for developmental disorders and cancer, today
jointly announced that the Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine
LLC (Sequenom CMM) and CombiMatrix have entered into a
collaboration agreement to market chromosomal microarray analysis
(CMA) testing services to broaden and confirm the results of
noninvasive, prenatal testing (NIPT) to physicians and their
patients.
Under the agreement, the two laboratories will collaboratively
use their respective marketing channels and sales forces to promote
the use of NIPT and CMA and work together to provide technical
training to physicians and counseling, education and support
services to physicians and their patients. The two companies plan
to provide, when clinically appropriate, a comprehensive test
result report for ordering physicians.
Sequenom is a global leader in the NIPT market, and Sequenom
CMM, its wholly owned subsidiary laboratory, developed the
MaterniT21TM PLUS laboratory-developed test (LDT), a
widely-ordered, noninvasive prenatal testing service for fetal
chromosomal abnormalities. CombiMatrix is one of the few
independent laboratories that specialize in CMA, the primary
genetic test to evaluate newborns with birth defects that is now
being more widely used for prenatal testing.
"The MaterniT21 PLUS test is the premier, noninvasive prenatal
test on the market today, and for an important group of patients a
chromosomal microarray test can be a significant adjunct for a
comprehensive prenatal analysis," said Bill
Welch, President and COO of Sequenom, Inc. "CombiMatrix
specializes in CMA and their technology helps further expand our
product offering in the growing prenatal genetic testing
marketplace."
"The collaboration with Sequenom CMM is a significant validation
of the rapidly expanding acceptance of CMA as a standard of
prenatal care as well as an endorsement of the services CombiMatrix
provides," noted CombiMatrix CEO Mark
McDonough.
"We are focused on establishing CombiMatrix as the premier
specialty laboratory for chromosomal microarray analysis for
prenatal testing," McDonough said. "The fact that Sequenom CMM has
joined forces with us and selected us for this collaborative
testing relationship demonstrates that we have made great strides
in reaching our goal."
The MaterniT21 PLUS test analyzes the relative amount of 21, 18,
13, as well as X and Y chromosomal material in cell-free DNA.
The test is intended for use in pregnant women at increased risk
for fetal aneuploidy and can be used as early as 10 weeks'
gestation. Estimates suggest there are about 750,000
pregnancies at increased risk for fetal aneuploidy each year in
the United States. The
MaterniT21 PLUS test is available exclusively through the Sequenom
CMM as a testing service provided to physicians. To learn
more about the test, please visit www.Sequenomcmm.com.
About Sequenom
Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM) is a life
sciences company committed to improving healthcare through
revolutionary genetic analysis solutions. Sequenom develops
innovative technology, products and diagnostic tests that target
and serve discovery and clinical research, and molecular
diagnostics 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 Center for Molecular Medicine
Sequenom
Center for Molecular Medicine (Sequenom CMM®) is a CAP
accredited and CLIA-certified molecular diagnostics reference
laboratory currently with three locations dedicated to the
development and commercialization of laboratory developed tests for
prenatal and eye conditions and diseases. Utilizing
innovative proprietary technologies, Sequenom CMM provides test
results that can be used by health care professionals in managing
patient care. Testing services are available only upon request by
physicians. Sequenom CMM works closely with key opinion leaders and
experts in obstetrics, retinal care and genetics. Sequenom CMM
scientists use a variety of sophisticated and cutting-edge
methodologies in the development and validation of tests. Sequenom
CMM is changing the landscape in genetic diagnostics. Visit
http://www.sequenomcmm.com for more information on laboratory
testing services.
SEQUENOM®, MaterniT21™ and MaterniT21™ PLUS are
trademarks of Sequenom, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks
are the property of their respective owners.
About CombiMatrix
CombiMatrix Corporation provides
valuable molecular diagnostic solutions and comprehensive clinical
support for the highest quality of care — specializing in
miscarriage analysis, prenatal and pediatric healthcare.
CombiMatrix offers comprehensive testing services for the detection
of genetic abnormalities at the DNA level, beyond what can be
identified through traditional methodologies. The Company performs
genetic testing utilizing advanced technologies, including
microarray, FISH, PCR and G-Band chromosome analyses. Additional
information about CombiMatrix is available at www.combimatrix.com
or by calling 1-800-710-0624.
Sequenom Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Except for historical information contained
herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including
statements regarding the Company's expectations, 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 market demand
for and acceptance and use of technology and tests such as the
MaterniT21 PLUS test and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA)
testing services, separately or in combination, reliance upon the
collaborative efforts of other parties including without limitation
CombiMatrix, the Company or third parties obtaining or maintaining
regulatory approvals that impact the Company's business, government
regulation particularly with respect to diagnostic products and
laboratory developed tests, the Company's ability to develop and
commercialize technologies and products, particularly new
technologies such as noninvasive prenatal diagnostics, laboratory
developed tests, and genetic analysis platforms, the Company's
financial position, the Company's ability to manage its existing
cash resources or raise additional cash resources, competition,
intellectual property protection and intellectual property rights
of others, litigation involving the Company, and other risks
detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation
its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 2013 and its Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2012. 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 the Company 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.