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Sequenom to Develop, Market Prenatal Blood Incompatibility Test with Lenitex

Jan 29, 2007

This article has been updated from a previous version, which mistakenly stated that the test will be based on Sequenom's RT-PCR technology instead of Sequenom's patent rights.  

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) - Sequenom and genetic screening company Lenetix have entered into a licensing and development collaboration to develop and market a prenatal Rhesus D incompatibility test, the companies said today.

The non-invasive test will be based on Sequenom’s patent rights and RT-PCR methodology, and is expected to be on the US market in the first half of 2007, the companies said.
 
RhD, a state of blood incompatibility between a pregnant woman and her fetus, can lead to death from anemia. The companies said RhD occurs in 10 percent of US pregnancies, or 400,000 cases per year.
 
Sequenom CEO Harry Stylii said the collaboration is an important development for the company as it continues its strategy in the non-invasive prenatal diagnostics market.
Financial terms of the agreement were not released.

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