Sequenom
Sequenom was a San Diego-based molecular diagnostics company that developed non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using cell-free DNA analysis from maternal blood to screen for chromosomal abnormalities. The company was acquired by Invitae in 2018 and then by Natera in 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Sequenom does
Sequenom was a San Diego-based molecular diagnostics company founded in 1994 that developed and commercialized non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis from maternal blood samples. Its core technology detected chromosomal abnormalities — primarily trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18, and trisomy 13 — from a simple maternal blood draw as early as 9-10 weeks gestation, eliminating the miscarriage risk associated with invasive diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. The company was recognized in third-party market research as a pioneer and key player in the NIPT market, competing with Illumina, Natera, Roche, Guardant Health, Myriad Genetics, and Verinata Health.
The company's revenue model was clinical laboratory services: Sequenom operated CLIA-certified laboratories and generated revenue from billable NIPT tests ordered by obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and genetic counselors for their patients. Go-to-market was sales-led, targeting healthcare providers and health systems through clinical sales channels and integration into routine prenatal care workflows. Marketing relied on industry conferences, medical publications, and inclusion in market research reports identifying it as a leading NIPT player.
Sequenom's corporate trajectory ended its independent operations through successive acquisitions: the company was acquired by Invitae in 2018, and Invitae's reproductive health assets (including Sequenom) were subsequently acquired by Natera in January 2024 for $42.5 million. Sequenom's former website (sequenom.com) now redirects to Labcorp Women's Health, suggesting further brand or asset migration. Sequenom raised over $185 million in disclosed funding rounds, with its largest raise being a $130 million round in September 2012 during the peak of NIPT commercial expansion.
Sequenom firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sequenom
- Website
- https://womenshealth.labcorp.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Sequenom was a San Diego-based molecular diagnostics company that developed non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using cell-free DNA analysis from maternal blood to screen for chromosomal abnormalities. The company was acquired by Invitae in 2018 and then by Natera in 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sequenom industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Prenatal Genetic Diagnostics / Clinical Laboratory Services
- NAICS
- Medical Laboratories (621511), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)
- SIC
- Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Prenatal, Newborn & Reproductive Diagnostics (NIPT, IVF/PGT, newborn screening) (HLAAALAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Genetic, Cytogenetic & Prenatal Screening IVD (HLAHAAAI), Genetic & Prenatal Testing Laboratories (HLAFAMAH)
Keywords
Where Sequenom is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Sequenom business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- NIPT Laboratory Services: Sequenom generates revenue through the provision of non-invasive prenatal testing laboratory services to healthcare providers and patients. The company operates within the broader non-invasive prenatal testing market, which is projected to reach $12.37 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.4%. Revenue is derived from billable clinical laboratory tests performed on maternal blood samples.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Sequenom product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sequenom operates as a clinical laboratory services provider specializing in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). The company performs cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis on maternal blood samples to screen for chromosomal abnormalities including trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18, and trisomy 13, offering a safer alternative to invasive diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis and CVS.
Product overview
Sequenom is identified as a key market player in the non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and noninvasive prenatal gene testing technology market. Based on market research reports, Sequenom operates in the reproductive health and genetic testing sector, competing with companies such as Illumina, Natera, Roche, Guardant Health, Aria Diagnostics, Fulgent Genetics, Myriad Genetics, and Verinata Health. However, detailed product portfolio information for Sequenom is not available in the provided source data.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Laboratory Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Non-invasive prenatal testing market projected to reach $12.37 billion by 2030 at 14.4% CAGR
Companies that use Sequenom
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Sequenom technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Sequenom partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights2 records
Sequenom competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Quest Diagnostics: Quest Diagnostics is a major reference laboratory offering QNatal Advanced NIPT and a broad women's health test menu. As a comparable clinical laboratory services provider serving obstetricians, it competes with Sequenom in the same provider-order workflow.
- Myriad Genetics: Myriad Genetics is a broader women's health and genetic testing company offering prenatal screening, hereditary cancer testing, and other molecular diagnostics. It competes with Sequenom in reproductive genetics while also operating in adjacent genetic testing categories.
- Labcorp: Labcorp is a major reference laboratory currently hosting the Sequenom brand under its Women's Health division (womenshealth.labcorp.com). It competes broadly in clinical laboratory services and has the infrastructure to deliver NIPT at scale.
- Invitae: Invitae acquired Sequenom in 2018 and operated it within its reproductive health business before divesting the assets to Natera in 2024. It remains a comparable genetic testing laboratory competing in reproductive and hereditary cancer testing.
Direct peers
- Illumina: Illumina acquired Verinata Health and offers the Verifi NIPT test. As a leading sequencing platform provider and NIPT competitor, Illumina competes with Sequenom at both the laboratory services and upstream technology levels.
- Natera: Natera is a direct competitor in NIPT (Panorama) and acquired Sequenom's reproductive health assets in January 2024 for $42.5M. It offers a comparable cfDNA-based NIPT service to obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine specialists, making it the closest direct peer.
- Roche: Roche offers the Harmony Prenatal Test through its Ariosa Diagnostics subsidiary. As a major diversified diagnostics player, Roche competes with Sequenom across global NIPT markets and has substantially larger commercial and reimbursement infrastructure.
Emerging players
- Fulgent Genetics: Fulgent Genetics is a genetic testing laboratory offering reproductive and hereditary cancer tests. While smaller than the major NIPT players, it provides comparable cfDNA-based NIPT services and is identified as a market competitor alongside Sequenom.
- BillionToOne: BillionToOne offers the UNITY Screen, a non-invasive prenatal screen that combines cfDNA analysis with cell-free fetal fraction quantification. As an emerging specialty NIPT competitor, it is increasingly cited alongside traditional players like Sequenom in the NIPT market.
Others
- Guardant Health: Guardant Health is identified as a market competitor alongside Sequenom in industry market research. While primarily focused on oncology liquid biopsy, its cfDNA expertise creates technology overlap with NIPT and positions it as an adjacent genomic diagnostics player.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sequenom social profiles
Digital presenceSequenom financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sequenom leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Sequenom funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sequenom M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sequenom
What does Sequenom do?
Sequenom operates as a clinical laboratory services provider specializing in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). The company performs cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis on maternal blood samples to screen for chromosomal abnormalities including trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18, and trisomy 13, offering a safer alternative to invasive diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis and CVS.
When was Sequenom founded?
Sequenom was founded in 1994. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Sequenom based?
Sequenom is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sequenom make money?
One revenue line is on record: NIPT Laboratory Services.
Who are Sequenom's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Quest Diagnostics, Myriad Genetics, Labcorp and Invitae. Direct peers are Illumina, Natera and Roche. Emerging players are Fulgent Genetics and BillionToOne. Guardant Health is listed as an others.
Does Sequenom have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sequenom.
What industry is Sequenom in?
Sequenom's product category is Prenatal Genetic Diagnostics / Clinical Laboratory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAALAJ, Prenatal, Newborn & Reproductive Diagnostics (NIPT, IVF/PGT, newborn screening), with a secondary code of HLAHAAAI, Genetic, Cytogenetic & Prenatal Screening IVD. Its NAICS code is 621511 and its SIC code is 8071.