Sequenom, Inc. announced that it has obtained a patent from the European Patent Office (EP0815261B1) entitled "DNA Diagnostics Based On Mass Spectrometry." This core patent covers processes for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a biological sample using mass spectrometry. The patent has been validated in 14 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, and relates to several patents previously issued in the United States.

"We are pleased to obtain this key patent from the European Patent Office," said, Toni Schuh, PhD, Sequenom's president and CEO. "Our Massarray technology is already recognized as a reference standard in high-performance genetic analysis. This patent secures the intellectual property position for our technology in Europe, one of our largest and most vital markets."

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 programmes 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.