GNSC Genaissance Pharmaceuticals (MM)

SEQUENOM Systems Used to Determine Origin of Mad Cow Case Independent Analyses Conducted by Two Genetic Testing Companies for the USDA SAN DIEGO, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SEQUENOM, Inc. today reported that the origin of the recent case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, was determined using the Company's proprietary MassARRAY(TM) technology. Two SEQUENOM customers, Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and GeneSeek Inc., independently screened samples of DNA on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The companies applied a set of bovine genetic assays developed by the USDA for SEQUENOM's MassARRAY platform. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011120/SQNMLOGO ) "SEQUENOM's MassARRAY technology is ideally suited for this application due to its unparalleled accuracy and specificity," said Gerald F. Vovis, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Genaissance Pharmaceuticals. "The MassARRAY system is the premier platform for SNP-based DNA analysis and identity testing in livestock," said Daniel Pomp, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of GeneSeek. "We are excited to also apply the MassARRAY technology to provide sheep testing as part of the U.S. National Scrapie Eradication Program." "This important work is another example of the leadership position of our MassARRAY products in high-performance commercial genetic testing," said Toni Schuh, Ph.D., SEQUENOM's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are proud that the USDA, along with leading genetic testing laboratories worldwide such as Genaissance, GeneSeek, LGC in the United Kingdom and AgResearch in Australia, have chosen the MassARRAY system for their animal genetics research and commercial services." About SEQUENOM SEQUENOM is a leading genetics company organized into two distinct business units: SEQUENOM Genetic Systems and SEQUENOM Pharmaceuticals. The two business units combine to capitalize on the Company's high performance DNA analysis platform, SNP assay portfolio, disease gene discovery programs and extensive DNA sample repository. SEQUENOM Genetic Systems is dedicated to the sales and support of the Company's MassARRAY products and the continual expansion of platform applications. SEQUENOM Pharmaceuticals applies the power of human genetics to systematically identify disease-related genes that affect significant portions of the overall population. The Pharmaceuticals business unit focuses on disease gene discovery, target identification, functional validation and ultimately diagnostic and therapeutic product development. SEQUENOM(R) is a registered trademark and MassARRAY(TM) is a trademark of SEQUENOM, Inc. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the application of MassARRAY technology to sheep testing, 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 SEQUENOM's technologies, and other risks detailed from time to time in SEQUENOM's SEC reports, including SEQUENOM's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and its most recently filed quarterly report. These forward-looking statements are based on current information that is likely to change and speak only as of the date hereof. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011120/SQNMLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: SEQUENOM, Inc. CONTACT: Robin Jackman, Ph.D., V.P., Corporate Development, +1-858-202-9185, , or Pete De Spain, Media Relations, +1-858-202-9033, , both of SEQUENOM, Inc. Web site: http://www.sequenom.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/124192.html

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