SAN DIEGO, — Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM), a life sciences company providing innovative diagnostic testing and genetic analysis solutions, today announced that the California Technology Assessment Forum completed an independent evaluation of the cell-free fetal DNA technology used in the Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine’s (Sequenom CMM) MaterniT21 PLUS™ laboratory-developed test (LDT). CTAF recommended that the use of cell-free fetal DNA as a prenatal advanced screening test for fetal aneuploidy for Trisomy 21 and Trisomy 18 in high risk women meets all five CTAF criteria for safety and efficacy and improvement in health outcomes.

Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF) spearheads the California Technology Assessment Forum (CTAF), which was established to assess new and emerging medical technology. CTAF is one of the preeminent independent medical technology assessment organizations in the country. A multidisciplinary group of medical providers, researchers, ethicists, and consumer advocates work to discuss and formulate positions on the safety and effectiveness of new and emerging technologies. Approximately 15 new technologies are reviewed each year, including devices, procedures and diagnostics.

CTAF uses the following criteria in its assessment process: 1) the technology must have final approval from the appropriate government regulatory bodies; 2) the scientific evidence must permit conclusions concerning the effectiveness of the technology regarding health outcomes; 3) the technology must improve net health outcomes; 4) the technology must be as beneficial as any established alternative(s); and 5) the improvement must be attainable outside the investigational setting.

“We are very pleased with the recommendation from CTAF. As one of the leading independent organizations in the biomedical field, CTAF recommendations support the broadened acceptance of novel technologies into clinical practice. We see it as further assurance for physicians and patients of the safety and efficacy of this non-invasive approach to detect fetal aneuploidies in appropriate high risk groups,” said Bill Welch, Senior Vice President, Diagnostics at Sequenom.

The following CTAF recommendations were unanimously approved at the October 17 review meeting:

It is recommended that the use of cell-free fetal DNA as a prenatal advanced screening test for fetal aneuploidy for Trisomy 21 and Trisomy 18 in high risk women meets all five CTAF criteria for safety and efficacy and improvement in health outcomes.

It is recommended that the use of cell-free fetal DNA as a prenatal advanced screening test for fetal aneuploidy for Trisomy 13 in high risk women does not meet CTAF criteria 4-5 for safety and efficacy and improvement in health outcomes.

It is recommended that the use of cell-free fetal DNA as a prenatal primary screening test for fetal aneuploidy for Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13 in average and high risk women does not meet CTAF criteria 3 through 5 for safety and efficacy and improvement in health outcomes.

The MaterniT21 PLUS test is intended for use in pregnant women at high risk for fetal aneuploidy and can be used as early as 10 weeks gestation. Estimates suggest there are about 750,000 pregnancies at high risk for fetal aneuploidy each year in the United States. The test detects an increased amount of chromosomal material for trisomies 21, 18 and 13, as well as fetal gender. The MaterniT21 PLUS test is available exclusively through the Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine (Sequenom CMM) as a testing service provided to physicians. To learn more about the test, please visit www.Sequenomcmm.com.

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 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 CMM, LLC

Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine® (Sequenom CMM), a CAP accredited and CLIA-certified molecular diagnostics laboratory, is developing a broad range of laboratory developed tests with a focus on prenatal and ophthalmic diseases and conditions. These laboratory-developed tests provide beneficial patient management options for obstetricians, geneticists and maternal fetal medicine specialists, and retinal specialists. Sequenom CMM is changing the landscape in genetic disorder diagnostics using proprietary cutting edge technologies.