Sequenom Expands Molecular Diagnostics Portfolio with Acquisition of SensiGen

28-Jan-2009 - USA

Sequenom, Inc. announced an agreement to acquire the complete AttoSense(TM) portfolio of tests along with certain other assets from privately held biotechnology company SensiGen LLC. SensiGen has been developing advanced gene-based molecular tests with diagnostic potential under a partnership agreement with Sequenom. The acquisition includes analytically validated, ultra-sensitive and ultra-specific tests for detection and monitoring of human papillomavirus (HPV), systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus), chronic kidney disease (CKD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as other tests, all of which utilize Sequenom's proprietary MassARRAY(R) platform.

"The addition of SensiGen's AttoSense tests to our portfolio represents a key step toward Sequenom's goal to have a comprehensive offering of molecular diagnostics for women's health and cancer," said Harry Stylli, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Sequenom. "Although we believe this technology represents a future growth opportunity, the management of Sequenom remains keenly focused on the noninvasive prenatal diagnostic franchise and in particular our Down syndrome technology. As such, the cost of further development of the AttoSense assays will be immaterial to our overall R&D spend."

Under the terms of the agreement, Sequenom will acquire all of SensiGen's currently developed assays, including the AttoSense HPV-G and HPV-Q tests for cervical cancer, AttoSense HPV-C for head and neck cancer, the AttoSense Kidney Test and the EpiSense Lupus Panel, along with certain other assets and intellectual property rights, in a stock and cash-based transaction. The total transaction purchase price of $8.7 million includes future earn-out milestone payments.

https://www.analytica-world.com/en/news/94425/sequenom-expands-molecular-diagnostics-portfolio-with-acquisition-of-sensigen.html