Sequenom Inc.'s iPLEX Gold Assay Receives Positive Feedback From Leading Genomic Research Institutions

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sequenom, Inc. today announced that its recently launched iPLEX(TM) Gold genotyping assay has been favorably received at The Broad Institute, a research collaboration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard and its affiliated hospitals, and the Whitehead Institute, and at Oxford University Medical Science Division's Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics. Both centers are among leading research institutions that have adopted the iPLEX Gold assay commercially launched in October 2006.

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"We compared data from the new iPLEX Gold assay with the original iPLEX assay, and with iPLEX Gold have achieved a higher level of multiplexing and assay conversion, similar call rates, and nearly 100% concordance in genotype results," said Stacey Gabriel, Ph.D., Director, Genetic Analysis Platform for The Broad Institute.

"We are very pleased with the performance of Sequenom's new iPLEX Gold assay," said Jiannis Ragoussis, Ph.D., Head of Genomics of the Wellcome Trust Centre. "We ran a significant number of assays using both methods and obtained the same high quality results, while achieving substantially increased levels of multiplexing with the iPLEX Gold assay."

Sequenom's iPLEX Gold assay, the successor to the original iPLEX assay, significantly reduces customer cost per data point to about 3 1/2 cents for typical fine mapping genotyping studies. The assay delivers more information faster by providing routine multiplexing at 36 times per reaction and, depending upon the complexity of the specific assay, potentially up to 40 times per reaction. This represents customer savings of approximately 25% per study compared to the original iPLEX assay and improves project efficiency. The iPLEX Gold assay conveniently runs on Sequenom's currently available MassARRAY(R) Compact system and is also available as a service offering through Sequenom's genetic analysis services business unit.

"Cost per data point is very important for fine mapping genotyping projects and our new iPLEX Gold assay was designed to meet the growing need for high value fine mapping genotyping solutions as researchers segue from whole genome studies into fine mapping," said Harry Stylli, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Sequenom. "It is important to our customers that we deliver the same high quality results they have been accustomed to with our original iPLEX assay at an even lower cost, and the feedback so far indicates that we are accomplishing this."

About Sequenom

Sequenom is committed to providing the best genetic analysis products that translate genomic science into superior solutions for biomedical research, 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(R), MassARRAY(R), and iPLEX(TM) are trademarks of SEQUENOM, Inc.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the growing need for high value fine mapping genotyping solutions, 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 technologies, the efforts of others, market acceptance of and demand for the Company's products, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and subsequent periodic reports. These forward-looking statements are based on current information that is likely to change and speak only as of the date hereof. 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.

CONTACT: John Sharp, Principal Financial Officer of Sequenom, Inc.,+1-858-202-9032; or Investor Relations, Zachary Bryant, zbryant@lhai.com,or Jody Cain, jcain@lhai.com, both of Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates,+1-310-691-7100, for Sequenom, Inc.