Sequenom Certifies McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre as First Center of Excellence
SAN DIEGO & MONTREAL–Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM – News), a leading provider of genetic analysis solutions, and Génome Québec today announced that the McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre has become the first Center of Excellence certified by Sequenom for genotyping technology. The Center of Excellence certification is a collaborative partner relationship aimed at ensuring high-quality data available from genotyping application using the Sequenom MassARRAY® system performed at Génome Québec.
The Center of Excellence distinction signifies the achievement and maintenance of ongoing quality and service excellence for genotyping. In achieving the Center of Excellence certification, Génome Québec was required to pass initial laboratory qualification tests, as well as proficiency tests and operating procedure audits aimed at assessing the quoting process, turnaround time and data delivery capabilities of the organization. During its first year of certification, Génome Québec will have exclusive status as the only Sequenom Genotyping Center of Excellence in Canada.
“We are excited about partnering with an institute of Génome Québec’s stature for our first Center of Excellence,” said Harry Stylli, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Sequenom. “We will look to expand this program to additional academic and research institutions, which will make it easier to access the high-throughput and cost-effective capabilities of our MassARRAY technology.”
Senior Director of Operations and Business Development of the McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre, Daniel Tessier, stated, “We are delighted to partner with Sequenom and this certification confirms the high-quality standards we have set for the Innovation Centre’s sequencing and genotyping services. We are especially proud of the Center of Excellence certification because we participated in the creation of the program and its implementation.”
Paul L’Archevêque, President and CEO of Génome Québec, added, “This is another important move forward for Génome Québec and, by extension, for the international recognition of Québec’s genomics industry. This is a truly tangible result of a long-term partnership with Sequenom.”
McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre operates two Sequenom MassARRAY compact instruments. Now certified as a Sequenom Genotyping Center of Excellence, Génome Québec will soon begin testing for qualification of Sequenom’s EpiTYPER® methylation services.
About the McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre
The McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre is financed by Genome Canada and the ministère du Développement Économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation of Québec, and provides complete DNA analysis services, from a few samples to several tens of thousands per week. Ambitious DNA sequencing projects carried out over the past five years are testimony of Génome Québec’s ability to provide data of exceptional quality in the pursuit of various genomics studies. Large-scale genomics projects at the Innovation Centre are highly integrated together on three platforms: sequencing, genotyping and functional genomics supported by an infrastructure and unique expertise in bioinformatics. High-quality protein separation and analysis services are also provided by the proteomics platform. To find out more, visit the Web site at www.genomequebecplatforms.com/mcgill.
About Génome Québec
Génome Québec is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to reinforce Québec’s innovation system in genomics by financing major genomics research initiatives. The investments of more than 400 million dollars since 2001 have contributed to accelerate the discovery of new applications, such as screening tests, therapeutic tools in human health or new environmental procedures in agriculture and forestry. The funds invested by Génome Québec come from the ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation of Québec, the Government of Canada through Génome Canada and from private partners. To find out more about Génome Québec and genomics, visit its Web site at www.genomequebec.com.
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, and for research conducted in the agro (agricultural and livestock) industry. 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 non-invasive prenatal genetic tests for use with the MassARRAY system and other platforms.
Sequenom®, MassARRAY® and EpiTYPER® are trademarks of SEQUENOM, Inc.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding Sequenom’s plans to expand its Center of Excellence program, and Génome Québec’s plans to soon begin testing for qualification of Sequenom’s EpiTYPER® methylation services, 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 demand for and market acceptance of Sequenom’s products, services, and technologies, including new products such as the EpiTYPER® methylation application, new technology and product development and commercialization, reliance upon the collaborative efforts of other parties, competition, government regulation, obtaining or maintaining regulatory approvals, 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, 2007 and subsequent periodic reports and other SEC filings. 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 Sequenom undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the issuance of this press release.

