Sequenom, Inc. Pre-Announces First Quarter 2012 Total Test Volumes Including MaterniT21™ PLUS Test and Increases Full-Year Volume Goal

SAN DIEGO, April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM), a life sciences company providing innovative genetic analysis solutions, today reported that more than 12,700 total tests, including in excess of 4,900 MaterniT21 PLUS laboratory-developed tests (LDT) offered by Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine (Sequenom CMM), were accessioned during the first quarter of 2012.  This equates to an annualized run rate in excess of 30,000 MaterniT21 PLUS LDTs, based on the volume processed during the last week of the quarter.

Due to the successful growth in adoption year-to-date, the Company is increasing its internal goal to 40,000 MaterniT21 PLUS LDTs billed in 2012, up from the original goal of 25,000 tests billed for the year. 

"After the successful launch of the MaterniT21 PLUS LDT in 2011, Sequenom CMM has experienced growing demand for the test and weekly increases in samples received and billed during the early part of 2012," said Harry F. Hixson, Chairman and CEO of Sequenom, Inc. "We expect this trend to continue with Sequenom CMM's sustained commercial efforts throughout the year and have increased the internal goal to reflect our optimistic outlook."

Sequenom, Inc. will report its first quarter 2012 financial results after closing of the NASDAQ Global Market on Thursday, May 3, 2012.  A conference call hosted by Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D., Chairman and CEO, and other members of senior management will take place at 5:00 pm EDT (2:00 pm PDT) and will be webcast live on the Sequenom website.

Conference Call Information

To access the live teleconference call, dial 800-860-2442 in the U.S., 866-605-3852 in Canada (both are toll free), and 412-858-4600 for other international callers.  Please specify to the operator that you would like to join the "Sequenom First Quarter 2012 Earnings Conference Call." If you are unable to listen to the live webcast, a teleconference replay will be available through May 11, 2012.  Interested parties can access the rebroadcast by dialing 877-344-7529 or 412-317-0088 internationally and entering the conference number 10012419.

The conference call webcast is accessible through the "Investors" section of the Sequenom website at http://ir.sequenom.com.  An online replay will be available following the initial broadcast until June 2, 2012. 

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.

About Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine

Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine (Sequenom CMM®) has two CAP accredited and CLIA-certified molecular diagnostics reference laboratories dedicated to the development and commercialization of laboratory developed tests for prenatal and eye conditions and diseases.  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 testing services.

SEQUENOM®, MaterniT21™ and MaterniT21™ PLUS are trademarks of Sequenom. 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 Sequenom's goals, full year test volume expectations and annualized run rate for the MaterniT21 PLUS test, growing demand, expectations regarding trend continuity, sustained commercial efforts throughout the year, Sequenom's commitment to improving healthcare through revolutionary genetic analysis solutions, Sequenom's dedication to the development and commercialization of laboratory developed tests and changing the landscape in genetic diagnostics, 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 Sequenom's ability to develop and commercialize new technologies and products, particularly new technologies such as prenatal and other diagnostics and laboratory developed tests, Sequenom'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 other risks detailed from time to time in Sequenom, Inc.'s most recent Annual Report on Securities and Exchange Commission 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 Sequenom, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the issuance of this press release.

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SOURCE Sequenom, Inc.