Sequenom CMM, CombiMatrix sign collaboration agreement to market CMA testing for NIPT

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 MaterniT21^TM 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.

SOURCE Sequenom, Inc.