Sequenom, Inc. and Iceland Genomics Corporation, a privately-held company, entered into a research collaboration to analyze Sequenom's proprietary panels of genetic markers associated with breast and prostate cancer in Icelandic patient samples. The results of this collaboration could provide further validation of Sequenom's genetic markers predisposing for breast and prostate cancer, and improve the understanding of the role of these genetic markers in disease onset, progression and therapeutic response.

Sequenom's proprietary genetic markers were discovered through a series of genome-wide association studies and subsequently replicated in multiple independent clinical collections. Among the markers to be studied in the Icelandic population are SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) from the ICAM and the NuMA gene regions. Sequenom and Iceland Genomics will jointly analyze the resulting data to determine to what extent Sequenom's disease predisposition markers are associated with specific clinical endpoints.

"The collaboration between our two companies may lead to important breast and prostate cancer diagnostic and prognostic applications in the field of molecular medicine. The study should provide insight to what extent genetic markers that predispose an individual to a higher disease risk affect disease progression and therapeutic outcome," stated Steve Zaniboni, Sequenom's acting CEO. "Sequenom has identified and validated more than 60 high confidence candidate gene regions in 11 major disease areas. This collaboration is part of a programme to establish the diagnostic value of Sequenom's disease gene portfolio beyond disease predisposition," Zaniboni added.

"Iceland is a very exciting and rewarding place for performing genetic analysis of complex diseases such as cancer. Comprehensive clinical data combined with the participation and goodwill of Icelanders and the clinical community provides an unparalleled basis for a successful research effort," Dana Hosseini, Iceland Genomics' CEO said adding, "This agreement is part of our long term strategic effort to utilize our cancer research programme to develop results that can be translated into therapeutic benefits for cancer patients."

Iceland Genomics will utilize its large collections of breast and prostate cancer patient samples and clinical databases to test and validate Sequenom's markers. The results of the collaboration are expected to increase the utility and value of Iceland Genomics' cancer genomic database. Sequenom has commercialization rights for products developed as a result of the collaboration and Iceland Genomics is entitled to receive royalties from sales of those products.