Noninvasive Prenatal Test Launched

An innovative noninvasive test detects common fetal trisomies utilizing a directed approach to analyze cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in maternal blood.

The test is performed using a simple maternal blood draw taken at a doctor's office or patient service center, and provides the safety of screening tests with accuracy approaching that of invasive testing for common fetal trisomies.

The Harmony Prenatal Test, which detects common fetal trisomies such as Trisomy 21 which is associated with Down syndrome, will be offered through Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp, Burlington, NC, USA) and will be available at its more than 1,000 patient service centers. The test is available to pregnant women of at least 10 weeks gestational age with a single fetus conceived without the use of an egg donor.

The Harmony Prenatal Test will be available in the United States and Canada through Integrated Genetics, a member of LabCorp's Specialty Testing Group. The test is a product of the molecular diagnostics company Ariosa Diagnostics (San Jose, CA, USA). Compared to random sequencing, directed cfDNA analysis is simpler, less costly, and more precise. It also provides individualized prenatal test results for trisomy risk.

Ken Song, MD, chief executive officer at Ariosa Diagnostics, said, "Ariosa Diagnostics is very excited to announce the official launch of the Harmony Prenatal Test and the agreement with LabCorp, which helps us deliver on the promise of bringing an affordable and accessible prenatal testing option to pregnant women and their physicians. With enhanced test performance and simplicity, the Harmony Prenatal Test can be reliably incorporated into the management of pregnancies."

Mark Brecher, MD, LabCorp's chief medical officer, added, "We are pleased to be able to offer this novel, noninvasive prenatal test. Ariosa Diagnostics' Harmony Prenatal Test adds another option to LabCorp's comprehensive prenatal testing menu." Integrated Genetics is a business unit of Esoterix Genetic Laboratories (Austin, TX, USA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings.

Related Links:
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
Ariosa Diagnostics
Esoterix Genetic Laboratories