Sequenom plans Grand Rapids lab expansion

Sequenom won $20 million in grants from the state of Michigan as it completes a deal to buy a lab in Grand Rapids and expand the operations, bringing more than 500 new jobs to the economically depressed region. Sequenom is fielding new genetic tests that can detect disorders in the first trimester of a pregnancy.

Sequenom acquired the Center for Molecular Medicine--a clinical diagnostics lab--for $4 million and announced a collaboration with Spectrum Health and Van Andel Research Institute. The company is planning a multimillion-dollar investment in the area.

"The relationships we are forging with the Van Andel Research Institute, to collaborate on cutting edge research, and the economic development leaders in West Michigan will allow us to be well positioned to increase our presence and provide significant value to our clinical development and commercialization efforts down the road," said CEO Harry Stylli, Ph.D.

- read the report from the Grand Rapids Press

ALSO: Shares of Sequenom jumped on the news that its screening test for Downs syndrome proved accurate in 200 new cases. Report

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