Sequenom terminates CEO, SVP of R&D
Sequenom Inc. (NASDAQ:SQNM) said it terminated five employees, including President and CEO Harry Stylli and SVP of R&D Elizabeth Dragon, after an independent investigation found the diagnostic company failed to put in place adequate protocols and controls for its Trisomy 21 program, resulting in "inadequately substantiated claims, inconsistencies and errors." The company also said it "obtained the resignation" of CFO Paul Hawran and Steve Owings, VP of commercial development for prenatal diagnostics.
In April, Sequenom delayed the expected June launch date for its SEQureDx Down syndrome test due to "employee mishandling" of data. In Monday's announcement, the company said the executives and employees denied wrongdoing, but that "the special committee's investigation has raised serious concerns, resulting in a loss of confidence" in the personnel by independent members of the board. Chairman Harry Hixson will become interim CEO; Ronald Lindsay, a director, will serve as interim SVP of R&D (See BioCentury Extra, Wednesday, April 29, 2009). ...