Presentation at ACMG Meeting Supports Utility of Sequenom’s SEQureDx Technology in Fetal Gender Determination
Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM), a leading provider of genetic analysis solutions, today announced that preliminary study data using DNA markers indicates the ability of Sequenom’s SEQureDx™ Technology to determine fetal gender early in pregnancy, which could reduce the need for invasive prenatal procedures in women with fetuses at risk for X-link or sex-dependent genetic disorders. A poster of the study, “Early Fetal Sex Determination Using Cell Free DNA from Maternal Plasma,” was presented by Sequenom scientist Dirk van den Boom, Ph.D., on March 15 at the 2008 American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz.
Sequenom’s Senior Vice President, Research and Development and study co-author Elizabeth Dragon, Ph.D., said, “Early determination of fetal gender is medically relevant in families with a history of sex dependent X-linked disorders, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hemophilia and Fragile X. Measuring fetal DNA in maternal plasma allows for fetal genotyping early in the first trimester of pregnancy with less risk to the fetus and mother versus invasive amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. This study indicates that our SEQureDx Technology shows potential utility in using maternal plasma for early determination of fetal gender in a clinical setting.”
“Results from this study support our planned introduction later this year of a noninvasive prenatal FetalXY Gender Screening test,” said Sequenom’s President and CEO Harry Stylli, Ph.D. “The test will represent another application of our SEQureDx Technology as we build a series of noninvasive prenatal tests based on this proprietary technology.”
About Sequenom
Sequenom is committed to providing the best genetic analysis products for research and the molecular diagnostic markets. The Company makes available superior solutions for genomic science in biomedical research, livestock and agricultural applications and molecular medicine, as well as for various diagnostic markets, including noninvasive prenatal testing, oncology and infectious diseases. Sequenom’s proprietary MassARRAY® system delivers reliable and specific data from complex biological samples and from genetic target materials available only in trace amounts.
Sequenom®, MassARRAY® and SEQureDx™ are trademarks of Sequenom, Inc.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the impact or ability of the Company’s SEQureDx Technology to reduce the need for invasive prenatal procedures in women with fetuses at risk for X-linked genetic disorders, the potential utility of SEQureDx Technology, and the Company’s planned introduction of a noninvasive prenatal Fetal Gender Test and planned series of noninvasive prenatal tests, 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 demand for and market acceptance of the Company’s products, services, and technologies, new technology and product development and commercialization particularly for new technologies such as SEQureDx Technology, reliance upon the collaborative efforts of other parties, research and development progress, competition, government regulation, obtaining or maintaining regulatory approvals, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports, including the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any subsequent periodic reports. These forward-looking statements are based on current information that is likely to change and speak only as of the date hereof. 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.