Jointly Marketed Tests Could Significantly Improve Early Detection of Major Diseases Including HPV and Cervical Cancer

SAN DIEGO & PHILADELPHIA & ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ:SQNM) and SensiGen LLC, a private biotechnology company developing advanced gene-based molecular diagnostics, today announced a collaborative agreement to jointly market SensiGen's advanced proprietary AttoSense^TM tests. SensiGen's proprietary methodology utilizes Sequenom's QGE gene expression technology and MassARRAY^® system for the detection of major diseases, including cervical cancer, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease and lupus. The two companies will jointly market tests and systems to commercial reference laboratories worldwide. Under the agreement, Sequenom will exclusively supply the platform technology used for commercializing SensiGen's proprietary tests. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Sequenom's proprietary MassARRAY technology couples state-of-the-art DNA analysis techniques with mass spectrometry to enable superior levels of sensitivity and specificity in identifying genes and gene products. Using this technology, the AttoSense^TM assay method can detect DNA from a wide range of biological specimens, including virus, bacterium or cell, from any biological sample, including blood, urine and tissue.

"By integrating SensiGen's assays and our MassARRAY technology, we expect to produce next-generation diagnostics that offer dramatic improvement in the early detection of a variety of major diseases," said Harry Stylli, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Sequenom. "We are excited about the opportunity to work with SensiGen to offer its important tests worldwide. This agreement marks a significant milestone in our strategic commitment to commercialize advanced diagnostic assays and is complementary to our current development of a portfolio of proprietary non-invasive prenatal tests based on our Fetal Nucleic Acid Technology."

Shawn M. Marcell, President and Chief Executive Officer of SensiGen, stated, "Following our extensive evaluation of multiple leading technology platforms, we selected the MassARRAY system because of its high sensitivity and specificity, and its extensive feature set. The MassARRAY's robust throughput capability, proven reliability and broad-based use in research institutions and academic medical centers worldwide make it especially well suited for the clinical lab market."

The AttoSense^TM HPV Test for early detection of cervical cancer, the first diagnostic test to be developed and marketed under the agreement, is expected to be submitted in 2009 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for marketing approval. This new test is expected to be at least two orders of magnitude more sensitive than currently marketed tests, and has the potential to eliminate nearly all false negative results. Approximately 9,000 cases of cervical cancer and about 4,000 attributable deaths are reported in the United States annually.

About SensiGen LLC

SensiGen is a development stage biotechnology company focused on gene-based molecular diagnostics. The Company's mission is to develop advanced methods for early detection of diseases to improve the standard of care and reduce overall healthcare costs. Current products in development include ultra-sensitive, ultra-specific tests for detection of human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, chronic kidney disease (CKD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and others. SensiGen's proprietary molecular diagnostic assays offer substantial improvements over current methods, and can potentially provide significant value to patients, care givers, and insurers alike. More information is available at www.sensigen.com.

SensiGen^TM and AttoSense^TM are trademarks of SensiGen LLC.

About Sequenom

Sequenom is committed to providing the best genetic analysis products that translate genomic science into superior solutions for biomedical research, livestock and agricultural applications, molecular medicine, and non-invasive prenatal testing. The Company's proprietary MassARRAY system is a high-performance DNA analysis platform that efficiently and precisely measures the amount of genetic target material and variations therein. The system is able to deliver reliable and specific data from complex biological samples and from genetic target material that is only available in trace amounts. The Company has exclusively licensed intellectual property rights for the development and commercialization of non-invasive prenatal genetic tests for use with the MassARRAY system and other platforms.

Sequenom^® and MassARRAY^® are trademarks of SEQUENOM, Inc.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding Sequenom and SensiGen's expectations to develop and commercialize an HPV test and other advanced proprietary diagnostics, expectations to jointly market tests and systems, the effects, impact, or benefits of such tests including improving early detection of major diseases, Sequenom's expectations to produce next-generation diagnostics that offer dramatic improvement in the early detection of a variety of major diseases, Sequenom and SensiGen's opportunity to offer tests worldwide, expected submission in 2009 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for marketing approval for an HPV test, the expected sensitivity of the new HPV test and its potential to eliminate false negative results, and Sequenom's intentions regarding development and commercialization of non-invasive prenatal genetic tests for use with the MassARRAY system and other platforms, 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 reliance upon the collaborative efforts of other parties such as SensiGen, new assay designs, new technology and product development and commercialization particularly for new diagnostics, research and development progress, government regulation, obtaining or maintaining regulatory approvals, and other risks detailed from time to time in Sequenom's SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) filings, including Sequenom's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, most recently periodic quarterly report, and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. 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.