SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SEQUENOM, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM - News) announced today that the expected launch of its SEQureDx™ Down syndrome test is delayed, due to the discovery by company officials of employee mishandling of R&D test data and results. Accordingly the company is no longer relying on the previously announced R&D test data and results. SEQUENOM has not changed its plans to develop in parallel its RNA- and DNA-based methods for the Down syndrome test and will endeavor to have a validated test in the fourth quarter of 2009. Under the circumstances, and as supported by key clinical opinion leaders, the company now intends to launch the Down syndrome test upon publication in a peer-reviewed journal of the results from the on-going large, independent clinical studies, which are designed to be practice-changing for Down syndrome testing.
The company’s board of directors has formed a special committee of independent directors to oversee an independent investigation of the employees’ activity related to the test data and results. The committee has engaged independent counsel to assist the committee in the conduct of the investigation.
Although the company is not aware of any potentially inappropriate activity related to the reported results of its other tests under development, the company is currently reviewing the data for all tests. As a result of this ongoing review the Rhesus D, Cystic Fibrosis and Fetalxy tests are now anticipated to begin launching in the third quarter of this year.
The company believes that its Down syndrome program has suffered a temporary setback but that the SEQureDx technology is scientifically and technically sound. The company intends to take every possible action to make up lost ground. SEQUENOM believes that it has the financial resources to commercialize its test for Down syndrome and other prenatal disorders.
Today’s announcement regarding the company’s SEQureDx Down syndrome R&D test data and results supersedes all previous announcements about such data and test, including its press releases dated June 4, 2008, September 23, 2008, December 1, 2008, January 28, 2009 and February 3, 2009.
SEQUENOM has scheduled a conference call for 2:00 p.m. Pacific time today at which Harry Stylli, PhD, SEQUENOM President and Chief Executive Officer, will discuss this announcement and along with other company officials will present information on the company’s operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. A separate press release setting forth information on the company’s first quarter operating results will be issued prior to the call. Individuals interested in participating in the conference call may do so by dialing (866) 844-2998 for domestic callers or (706) 679-9912 for international callers. Those interested in listening to the conference call live via the Internet may do so by visiting the investor relations section of the company’s website at www.sequenom.com.
A webcast replay will be available on the SEQUENOM Web site for 14 days. A telephone replay will be available for 48 hours following the conclusion of the call by dialing (800) 642-1687 for domestic callers, or (706) 645-9291 for international callers, and entering reservation code 93862699.
Because the company has accelerated the announcement of its first quarter operating results to coincide with today’s call, the company has cancelled the conference call originally scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2009.
About SEQUENOM
SEQUENOM is committed to providing the best genetic analysis products that translate the results of genomic science into solutions for noninvasive prenatal diagnostics, biomedical research, translational research and molecular medicine applications. The company’s proprietary MassARRAY® system is a high-performance (in speed, accuracy and cost efficiency) nucleic acid analysis platform that quantitatively and precisely measures genetic target material and variations. The company has exclusively licensed intellectual property rights for the development and commercialization of noninvasive prenatal genetic tests for use with the MassARRAY system and other platforms. SEQUENOM maintains a Web site at 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®, MassARRAY® and SEQureDx™ are trademarks of SEQUENOM, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the Company’s current plans to develop and launch a Down syndrome test and other diagnostic tests and the sufficiency of its financial resources to do so and the Company’s ability to develop and commercialize diagnostic tests on multiple 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 the Company’s ability to develop and commercialize new technologies and products, particularly new technologies such as noninvasive prenatal 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, the independent investigation and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 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.
Contact:
Company Contact SEQUENOM, Inc. Ian Clements Sr. Director, Corp. Communications +1 (858) 202-9000 or Investor Relations Contact Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates Jody Cain (jcain@lhai.com) Kevin Mc Cabe (kmccabe@lhai.com) +1 (310) 691-7100 or Media Relations Pure Communications Andrea Johnston +1 (910) 509-3970
