SAN DIEGO, Jan. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cypher Genomics, Inc., the leading genome informatics company, and Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM), the leading molecular diagnostics company, today announced a development agreement for next generation noninvasive prenatal tests (NIPT). Through this agreement, Sequenom will utilize Cypher's genome interpretation technology, called Mantis™, to advance analysis of clinically-relevant fetal sub-chromosomal variants detected in maternal blood. Often not detected until after birth, sub-chromosomal variants comprise greater than 50 percent of rare chromosomal abnormalities beyond the more common aneuploidies and are associated with significant risks of morbidity and mortality.

"We are excited to announce this development agreement with Sequenom, the pioneer of noninvasive prenatal testing," said Adam Simpson, president and COO of Cypher Genomics. "We have been working closely with Sequenom to validate our automated Mantis technology to classify clinically-relevant sub-chromosomal genomic structural variations, such as copy-number variations (CNVs), in circulating fetal DNA from maternal blood samples, which may have applications in the development of a new, more comprehensive NIPT offering."

Sequencing-based NIPT has been largely focused on whole chromosome events, such as aneuploidies and trisomies. Sub-chromosomal structural variations, such as microdeletions and microduplications or CNVs, which may occur de novo, are more difficult to detect and classify but represent a larger proportion of clinically relevant abnormalities. The physical boundaries of CNVs implicated in similar diseases can vary greatly, creating a substantial challenge in accurately classifying the pathogenicity of these structural variations for use in NIPT. As an automated and scalable solution, Cypher's proprietary Mantis technology can help overcome the genomic interpretation challenge and can potentially support Sequenom's development of a next generation NIPT offering.

"Given the clinical relevance and frequency of microdeletions and microduplications in the general population, detecting and classifying sub-chromosomal genomic variations would broaden the clinical utility of our prenatal testing offerings," said Dirk van den Boom, Ph.D., chief scientific and strategy officer of Sequenom. "In our continued effort to advance pregnancy care, next generation NIPT offerings will expand the opportunity for physicians to provide parents with more comprehensive information to improve pediatric outcomes."

Dr. van den Boom concluded, "We have been impressed with the performance of Cypher's industry-leading Mantis technology in our research validation studies, and we look forward to advancing our collaboration with Cypher Genomics as we develop a next generation NIPT offering and expand into new areas outside of prenatal testing."

About Sequenom
Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM) is committed to enabling healthier lives through the development of innovative products and services. The company serves patients and physicians by providing early patient management information. To learn how Sequenom is interpreting the genome to improve your life, visit www.sequenom.com and follow @SequenomLabs.

About Cypher Genomics
Cypher Genomics is a leading genome informatics company offering a highly accurate, rapid and robust interpretation software solution for users of human genome sequencing. The proprietary, automated genomic interpretation platform allows clinical laboratories to tune Cypher Genomics' market leading sensitivity and specificity profiles to develop molecular tests for diagnostic and prognostic use and pharmaceutical companies to discover biomarkers from genome sequence data in sample sizes typical of early stage drug development studies. Through Mantis™, the genome interpretation software as a service offering, and Coral™, a biomarker discovery service, Cypher Genomics can improve health care and reduce costs by facilitating improved diagnostic accuracy and earlier interventions, optimizing therapeutic approaches and reducing adverse drug reactions. Cypher Genomics is located in San Diego, California.

For more information about Cypher Genomics, visit www.cyphergenomics.com and connect with us on Twitter @cyphergenomics.

Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks are described more fully in Sequenom's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation Sequenom's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Sequenom undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

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SOURCE Sequenom, Inc.

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