Sequenom, Inc, announced an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Optherion, Inc. Under the agreement, Sequenom's CAP accredited and CLIA-certified laboratory, Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine (Sequenom CMM), obtained the rights to develop and commercialize diagnostic tests to predict genetic predisposition to late stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The license agreement covers extensive intellectual property rights for the most significant AMD-related genetic variants that have been confirmed in multiple clinical studies around the world. The portfolio of intellectual property being licensed has been consolidated from major US universities who have spearheaded genetic and clinical AMD research during the last decade.

Upon successful development of the test, Sequenom CMM intends to market a laboratory developed test under its SensiGene brand name for genetic tests. The laboratory anticipates launching the new test early in 2011.

"This opportunity is an excellent fit for Sequenom," said Ronald M Lindsay, senior vice president of research and development at Sequenom. "The format of the assay that we plan to develop is optimal for our MassARRAY technology. Indeed, our platform has already been used in several of the key published studies that have firmly validated the link between AMD and the genetic variants that we expect to form the basis of our planned test. The addition of this licensed technology to our portfolio is an important step toward our aspiration to develop and commercialize a portfolio of meaningful proprietary genetic tests driven by unmet clinical needs."

Colin J Foster, president and CEO of Optherion, said, "The licensing agreement with Sequenom adds significantly to our ability to push forward in developing both diagnostics and ultimately disease-modifying treatments for dry AMD. Our agreement with Sequenom not only gives us access to an exquisite platform, the MassARRAY system, but also could ultimately lead to companion diagnostics for our recombinant 'protective' human complement factor H protein therapeutic."

AMD is an insidious progressive eye disorder that starts with relatively harmless tiny yellow deposits on the retina (the light sensitive tissue in the eye) and increases in prevalence and severity with age.

Although no curative therapies for AMD exist, treatments are available that help to slow the progression or even partially reverse vision loss, provided diagnosis is made in the initial stages of wet AMD.

"Given the demographics of an aging US population driving an increased incidence of AMD, the ability to assess the genetic risk of disease progression will not only help steer our current management strategies but also accelerate the development of novel genetically guided therapeutics that could drastically reduce, or even eliminate, the devastating loss of vision that accompanies AMD," commented Michael J Tolentino, Center for Retina and Macular Disease, Winter Haven, Florida. "Genetic information may also predict response to currently available therapies and may be useful in classifying patients who will respond favourably or unfavourably to current treatments for wet AMD."

Approximately 75 per cent of disease risk is inherited and predominantly caused by variations in a handful of genes discovered over the last five years. Most of the affected genes have been identified in regulatory proteins contained within the alternative complement system involved in innate immunity. Sequenom's goal is to develop a simple non-invasive DNA test to be performed once, that will provide a clinician with genetic information specific to an individual's risk of progression to late stage CNV in order to optimize patient management to preserve vision.

A patient's knowledge about being at higher risk also makes it easier to take certain preventative steps such as no longer smoking, and switching to a healthier diet rich in vitamins, antioxidants, certain carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids. Smoking and diet are among the most important modifiable risk factors that have been proven in clinical studies to delay onset and progression of late stage disease.

Sequenom is a life sciences company committed to improving healthcare through revolutionary genetic analysis solutions.