A noninvasive diagnostic test for fetal Down syndrome is the hoped-for outcome a deal announced today under which Sequenom, the genetic testing vendor, will obtain tools from Illumina, which develops large-scale systems for genetic analysis. No dollar value was put on the three-year agreement, which calls for Sequenom and its subsidiaries to purchase sequencing equipment and consumables from Illumina. The goal is to develop a noninvasive way to detect an overabundance of chromosome 21 in pregnant women, a possible sign of Down syndrome in the fetus. The two San Diego firms say they will collaborate to seek regulatory approval.
