Sequenom acquires assets of Ann Arbor-based SensiGen

Sequenom is taking a bite out of Ann Arbor’s SensiGen and paying handsomely to do it.The bio-tech firm is selling its AttoSense portfolio of tests along with a few other assets to Sequenom for $18 million. The two companies have worked together in the past, primarily on developing advanced gene-based molecular tests. The AttoSense portfolio of tests includes analytically validated, ultra-sensitive and ultra-specific tests for detection and monitoring of human papillomavirus, which causes cervical, head and neck cancers, among other diseases. SensiGen, a University of Michigan spin-off, has grown to more than half a dozen employees and a handful of contractors from the original two founders in the last four years. Some of its newest workers include two ex-Pfizer employees and the firm expects to hire more as soon as it closes its latest round of capital fundraising.Source: SequenomWriter: Jon Zemke