Erasmus University Medical Center Partners With Complete Genomics to Begin Developing Its Genomic Medicine Pipeline

New Agreement Provides for Complete Genomics to Sequence 250 Samples for Erasmus MC Studies Including Cancer and Congenital Malformations


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 19, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Complete Genomics Inc. (Nasdaq:GNOM), a complete human genome sequencing company that has developed and commercialized an innovative DNA sequencing platform, announced today an expansion of its collaboration with Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC), based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This agreement calls for Complete Genomics to sequence 250 DNA samples for Erasmus MC research studies over the next 12 months. Samples will come from patients with leukemia and other cancers and congenital malformations, such as craniosynostosis. Erasmus MC is working with external collaborators, including Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that manages the blood supply in the Netherlands, and various teams at the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam to obtain some of the samples.

Erasmus MC and Complete Genomics are also collaborating in several other research areas, which have not yet been disclosed. As part of the agreement, Erasmus MC is also allowing Complete Genomics to use its bioinformatics training center for customer training purposes. That center is ideally located in the center of Europe.

"We decided to focus our research efforts with Complete Genomics on diseases where the current technology has not been able to identify the genetic variants responsible," said Professor Dr. Peter J. van der Spek, head of bioinformatics at Erasmus MC. "Its complete human genome sequencing service will allow us to study genetic variations at a higher resolution and greater sensitivity than has been previously possible. We are optimistic that we will be able to obtain answers to some of the scientific questions that have proven elusive to date."

Dr. Clifford Reid, chairman, president and CEO of Complete Genomics, added, "By using our complete human genome sequencing service, Erasmus MC will be able to obtain timely, high-quality data to further its research efforts without having to maintain and update sequencing instruments of its own. We hope that by furthering its understanding of the genetics of these complex diseases, Erasmus MC can be at the forefront of developing better diagnostic screens that form the basis for genetic testing in monogenetic diseases and targeted treatment development for diseases such as cancer."

"Since only 4 percent of the Dutch national healthcare budget is currently spent on diagnostics and yet 72 percent of medical decisions depend on those diagnostics, we expect this new technology to change the way patient stratification is conducted for targeted treatments in the very near future in the Netherlands," van der Spek added.

Additional expertise in technology and data management is being co-developed for this translational medicine project through strategic partnerships with companies such as Ingenuity, Biobase, TIBCO/Spotfire, Oracle and VX Company.

About Complete Genomics

Complete Genomics is a complete human genome sequencing company that has developed and commercialized an innovative DNA sequencing platform. The Complete Genomics Analysis Platform (CGA™ Platform) combines Complete Genomics' proprietary human genome sequencing technology with our advanced informatics and data management software. We offer this solution as an innovative, end-to-end, outsourced service, CGA™ Service, and provide customers with data that is immediately ready to be used for genome-based research. Additional information can be found at http://www.completegenomics.com.

The Complete Genomics logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8216

About Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam

Erasmus MC is the largest and one of the most authoritative scientific University Medical Centers in Europe. More then 13,000 staff members work within the core tasks of patient care, education, and scientific research on the continuous improvement and enforcement of individual patient care and social healthcare. They develop high-level knowledge, pass this on to future professionals, and apply it in everyday patient care. Erasmus MC is part of the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers (NFU). See www.nfu.nl and www.erasmusmc.nl

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, including statements relating to the ability of our customers to use the genome sequencing data that we provide to them to develop better diagnostic tools and targeted therapies for diseases and to change the way patient stratification is conducted for targeted disease treatments are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. The following factors, without limitation, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: the usefulness of genomic data in identifying or treating disease; the ability of our customers to successfully analyze the genomic data we provide; and the ability of researchers to convert genomic data into medically valuable information. More information on potential factors that could affect the usefulness of the genomic data that we provide to our customers is included in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including the risks identified under the section captioned "Risk Factors" in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on May 18, 2010. We disclaim any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



            

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