Sequenom Scores on Down Syndrome Detection
Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM) is having a major trading response to its Down Syndrome testing news. The genetic-analysis and molecular diagnostic solutions provider gave additional positive results from screening studies on its noninvasive circulating cell-free fetal nucleic acid SEQureDx™ Technology.
This is to enable the detection of fetal aneuploidy, including Down syndrome from maternal blood. The presentation is from its Sequenom’s analyst briefing in New York City.
Sequenom’s test demonstrated no false positives and no false negatives in both first and second trimester samples. Over 200 samples were announced today and this is now in excess of 400 prospective samples to-date. Sequenom executives were joined by a panel of leading scientists and clinicians to discuss these study results and updates in the development of noninvasive prenatal diagnostics.
With the abundance of women having children later and later in life, Down Syndrome testing is going to be more important than ever. In fact, it could be front and center after the election as VP-candidate Palin’s family is affected by this.
Jon Ogg
September 24, 2008
Sequenom Scores on Down-Syndrome Tests (SQNM)
Sequenom Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM) released some data early this morning that is driving shares higher. The genetic analysis solution company announced its progress with a non-invasive technology that detects Down syndrome in a mother’s blood analysis.
The company noted that in blinded studies involving about 200 clinical samples, Sequenom’s proprietary test identified all of the Down syndrome samples and it did so with no false positive readings. Its also plans to start a multi-site validation study of what will ultimately be several thousand samples in Q4-2008 and will then launch the Down-syndrome test as a lab developed test in the U.S. in first-half 2009.
Sequenom will continue developing the test this year and it will then transfer the technology to its laboratory partners.
With an hour to go before the open, shares of Sequenom are trading up about 14% to $8.75. It has also traded around 305,000 shares compared to an average daily volume of about 475,000 shares. Its 52-week trading range is $4.25 to $11.63 and its market cap after this jump on a static basis looks to be close to $398 million.
Jon Ogg
June 4, 2008
