Sequenom, Inc., a leading genetics company, presented the results from its discovery genetics program in type 2 diabetes at the international Genomics of Diabetes conference in Lille, France. The presentation by Dr. Andi Braun, Sequenom's chief medical officer, included extensive data on FOXA2 (HNF3B), one of several novel high-confidence diabetes genes that the Company has identified in its study. To date, the association for eight of these genes have been reproduced in independent populations, further confirming their contribution to type 2 diabetes.

"The targets we have identified thus far represent the most complete portfolio of diabetes risk genes ever assembled, shedding light on the important role of genetics in the development of diabetes," said Dr. Braun. "Each of our candidate genes has a strong impact on the risk of developing diabetes, a disease that affects approximately 8 per cent of the U.S. adult population. We have disclosed the identity and genetic findings for FOXA2 to give the scientific community an example of the quality of our findings. These novel targets present an excellent opportunity to develop new diagnostics and therapeutics for diabetes."

FOXA2 is a protein known to be involved in pancreatic development and islet cell function, but not previously known to be genetically associated with type 2 diabetes. Sequenom's diabetes scan also identified previously known genes associated with type 2 diabetes, including PPAR-gamma. The PPAR-gamma gene is a target for top-selling diabetes drugs such as Avandia and Actos, which generated combined sales of more than $2 billion in 2002. The genetic risk contribution for PPAR-gamma in Sequenom's study population was comparable to the Company's novel disease genes.

In the United States 17 million individuals suffer from diabetes, accounting for $132 billion annually in health care costs. Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, accounts for approximately 90 to 95 per cent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. It typically begins as insulin resistance, a disorder in which the cells do not use insulin properly. As the need for insulin rises, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to control blood sugar levels.