Natera

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Natera (previously Gene Security Network) is a San Carlos, CA-based genetic testing company.[1] The firm utilizes its bioinformatics technology, Parental Support(TM), to perform high-throughput prenatal testing, using small samples of fetal DNA that are obtained non-invasively from the mother’s blood. The current methods used for genetic testing, amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS), are invasive and carry a risk of miscarriage. In a study published in Human Reproduction, Natera’s technology was shown to be as accurate as metaphase karyotyping, the leading test for detecting chromosomal abnormalities.

Natera offers a range of tests for chromosomal abnormalities based on the company’s technology, through its CLIA laboratory as well as hundreds of in-vitro fertilization clinics in the United States and worldwide. Services available include tests for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and miscarriage testing to determine the cause of the loss of the pregnancy. A non-invasive paternity test, based on Natera’s technology, was brought to market in August 2011 through a partnership with DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC),[2] which holds a license to the technology in the United States.

Panorama Test

Natera launched a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) in December 2012, called Panorama test.[3] Panorama Test detects chromosome abnormalities, including Trisomy 21, the cause of Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, the cause of Edwards syndrome, Trisomy 13, the cause of Patau syndrome, as well as certain sex chromosome abnormalities, as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. Clinical data suggests that the Panorama prenatal test identifies more chromosomal abnormalities than any other non-invasive prenatal test, with higher accuracy than any other non-invasive prenatal test.[4] A clinical study evaluating Natera’s NIPT is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is currently ongoing.

Competition

Companies also offering non-invasive prenatal genetic testing include Pregnicare, Sequenom, Ariosa, Ravgen, and Verinata Health. Other companies and universities that are working towards developing non-invasive prenatal testing include Stanford University,[5] Fluidigm, and Ikonisys.

References

  1. ↑ San Francisco Business Times
  2. ↑ "New Scientist". New Scientist. 
  3. ↑ Panorama Test
  4. ↑ Panorama Test Clinical Data
  5. ↑ "Non-invasive prenatal test for Down's syndrome developed". BioNews. 

1. Johnson et al. “Preclinical validation of a microarray method for full molecular karyotyping of blastomeres in a 24-h protocol.” Human Reproduction. January 24, 2010.

2. Amina Zafar. “Pregnancy screens get high-tech boost.” CBC News. Sep 23, 2011

External links

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