Sequenom signs national agreement to provide coverage for MaterniT21™ PLUS test

Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM), a life sciences company providing innovative testing and genetic analysis solutions, announced today its wholly owned subsidiary, Sequenom Laboratories, has signed a national agreement with a leading benefits provider, to provide coverage for the MaterniT21™ PLUS laboratory-developed test (LDT). The addition of this contract brings the number of covered lives under agreement by Sequenom Laboratories' diagnostic services to more than 113 million.

"We are excited to be working with an additional national payor to provide coverage for the MaterniT21 PLUS test. We believe this coverage will provide health care providers and their patients greater access to our market-leading noninvasive prenatal test for pregnant women at increased risk for fetal chromosome abnormalities," said William Welch, President and COO, Sequenom. "This agreement is an extension of Sequenom Laboratories' goal to provide broader coverage and availability for its testing services within the US."

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 also reports additional findings for the presence of subchromosomal microdeletions and duplications which complement the MaterniT21 PLUS test core findings. The test is intended for use in pregnant women at increased risk for fetal chromosomal abnormalities and is indicated for use as early as 10 weeks' gestation. Estimates suggest there are about 750,000 pregnancies at high risk for fetal chromosomal abnormalities each year in the United States.