Complete Genomics, the Mountain View, CA-based provider of low-cost gene sequencing, said today it has raised $39 million in a Series E round of venture financing. A new investor, Sands Capital, led the round, which included existing investors Essex Woodlands, Kirkland, WA-based OVP Venture Partners, Prospect Venture Partners, OrbiMed Advisors, Highland Capital Management, and San Diego-based Enterprise Partners. The company also said it plans to “vigorously defend” itself in a patent lawsuit brought against it by the market leader in gene sequencing, San Diego-based Illumina (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ILMN]]). Complete Genomics made the announcement of the financing, and the legal defense plan, while it is preparing to go public.