Sequenom Announces Formation of Ophthalmology Clinical Advisory Board

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sequenom, Inc. (Nasdaq: SQNM) today announced the formation of a new clinical advisory board focusing on retinal diseases and conditions. The initial three distinguished thought-leaders will provide guidance to Sequenom and Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine (Sequenom CMM) regarding the development of retinal care molecular diagnostics.

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Gregory S. Hageman, PhD – Dr. Hageman is the John A. Moran Presidential Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Utah. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he conducted both his undergraduate and graduate studies in biology and marine biology.

His primary research interest has been directed toward assessment of genes and pathways involved in the etiology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), where he and his colleagues have been pioneers in providing a strong body of evidence that supports a role of variant genes in the etiology of this disease.

Prior to his recent move to the Moran Eye Center, Dr. Hageman served for three years as the Iowa Entrepreneurial Endowed Professor and Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine. At Iowa he directed the Cell Biology and Functional Genomics Laboratory. He held additional appointments as a Senior Member of the University of Iowa Center for Macular Degeneration, an Associate Faculty in the Center for the Study of Macular Degeneration, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Honorary Professorships at Queens University, Belfast, UK and Shandong Eye Institute, Qingdao, China.

"I am delighted to be chairman of the ophthalmology clinical advisory board at Sequenom," stated Gregory Hageman, PhD. "As a team, we look forward to advising Sequenom on navigating the path toward introducing tests for patients with eye disorders. Given the increased incidence of AMD, a genetic test may be very helpful with the management of this debilitating disease."

Jeffrey S. Heier, MD – Dr. Heier received his medical degree from Boston University, then did his transitional internship and ophthalmology residency at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.  Between his internship and residency, Dr. Heier served as a physician in a Combat Support Hospital in the Persian Gulf War, where he was awarded a Bronze Star.  Dr. Heier then completed a vitreoretinal fellowship at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston/Tufts University School of Medicine.  He is a partner at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, and the co-director of the vitreoretinal fellowship.  Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston is one of the largest and most prestigious multi-specialty ophthalmology practices in the United States.  Dr Heier is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Tufts School of Medicine, and a Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Heier is the Secretary of Online Education for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the past President of the Center for Eye Research and Education Foundation in Boston, MA.  Dr. Heier is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists, the Retina Society, and the Macula Society. From the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Heier received the Senior Achievement Award in 2010, the Secretariat Award in 2007, and the Honor Award in 2003.  He is also the recipient of the Honor Award and Senior Honor Award from the American Society of Retina Specialists.  

Karen Gehrs, MD – Dr. Gehrs received her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Upon completing her internship at St. John's Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Gehrs finished her post graduate education by completing a residency and fellowship (vitreoretina) at Duke University Eye Center prior to becoming Chief Resident in 1993.

Dr. Gehrs specializes in retina/vitreous diseases and focuses her research in diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. She is certified in both the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Gehrs is an accomplished teacher, frequent lecturer and is very active in several professional associations.

After more than a dozen years as a vitreoretinal faculty member at the University of Iowa, Dr. Gehrs joined the Center for Retina and Macular Disease, in Florida, in 2009. Most recently, Dr. Gehrs has been distinguished as one of the Best Doctors in America for the past four years in a row.

For full biographies on the members of the Ophthalmology clinical advisory board please see http://www.sequenom.com/Home/About-Us/Clinical-Advisory-Boards/Ophthalmology

"We welcome the strong research expertise and clinical experience that Drs. Hageman, Heier, and Gehrs bring to Sequenom's new ophthalmology focused clinical advisory board," said Ronald M. Lindsay, PhD, executive vice president of research and development at Sequenom. "These highly respected experts will play an important advisory role in supporting our diagnostic development programs and product commercialization plans."

About Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine, LLC

Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine (Sequenom CMM®) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sequenom, Inc., and is CAP accredited and CLIA-certified specialty reference laboratory dedicated to the development and commercialization of laboratory-developed genetic testing services for prenatal and eye conditions. Utilizing innovative proprietary technologies, Sequenom CMM provides test results that can be used as tools by clinicians in managing patient care. Testing services are available only upon request to 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.scmmlab.com for more information on laboratory services.

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.

SEQUENOM®, Sequenom CMM®, are trademarks of Sequenom, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the Company's plans, expectations, and activities regarding the development and commercialization of diagnostic  tests, including its age-related macular degeneration (AMD) test under development, and the potential of the AMD test, 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 the Company's ability to develop and commercialize new technologies and products, particularly new technologies such as genetic based diagnostics and laboratory developed tests, reliance upon the collaborative efforts of other parties, 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, government regulation particularly with respect to diagnostic products and laboratory developed tests, obtaining or maintaining regulatory approvals, ongoing litigation and investigations and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.

SOURCE Sequenom, Inc.