Yourgene Health and Genetix Launch First Local Non-invasive Prenatal Testing Service in Colombia

October 4, 2024 – Other, PharmaceuticalGenetix, Yourgene Health, non-invasive prenatal testing

  • Genetix will utilise Yourgene Health’s IONA Nx NIPT Workflow to deliver first NIPT service in region
  • Service offers safe, fast and accurate prenatal testing to expectant parents.

2 October 2024 — Manchester, UK, and Bogotá, Colombia — Yourgene Health (part of the Novacyt group of companies), a leading international molecular diagnostics group, has installed the first non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) workflow in Colombia at Genetix, a high-tech medical organisation specialised in human genetic diagnosis. Genetix introduced its NipTest at a launch event held in Bogotá, Colombia yesterday evening to raise awareness of this new local NIPT provision to clinicians in the region. The service will utilise Yourgene’s IONA® Nx NIPT Workflow to deliver fast, accurate NIPT results for expectant parents in Colombia, helping to reduce turnaround times and shipping problems.

Utilising Yourgene’s IONA Nx NIPT Workflow offers Genetix a complete CE-marked in vitro diagnostic (IVD) device to establish its own quality-assured prenatal screening service in-house. The IONA test has been validated on a highly flexible and scalable workflow, suitable for low- to high-volume sample throughput, enabling the growing clinical laboratory to meet rising demands.

The NIPT is performed using cell-free placental DNA from maternal blood to screen for aneuploidies: trisomy 21 (Down’s syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards’ syndrome) or trisomy 13 (Patau’s syndrome), and can also be used to determine the sex of the fetus. The analysis is performed using next-generation sequencing technology, with test results available in three days.

Previously, blood samples collected in Colombia were sent to the USA for testing, delaying turnaround times and increasing costs with additional shipping expenses. By offering access to its NipTest locally, Genetix will help to ensure expectant parents receive reliable results quickly, while reducing the need for invasive tests and the associated stress and anxiety.

Lyn Rees, Executive Director, Yourgene Health, said: “We are thrilled to support Genetix by enabling them to deliver an advanced prenatal screening solution locally to the pregnant mothers in Colombia. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with their pioneering team.

We are immensely proud, once again, to be contributing to patient care where it is needed. Yourgene is committed to delivering best-in-class NIPT solutions and continues to be a leading player in the global market and a trusted provider.”

Dr Claudia Serrano, General and Scientific Director, Genetix, said: “We are excited to offer this non-invasive test for the first time in Colombia and are delighted to have the backing of our esteemed partners, Yourgene Health.

We strive to advance diagnostic services and transform prenatal genetics in our country and the launch of the NipTest is testament to this. Yourgene’s quality-assured IONA Nx NIPT Workflow empowers us to deliver fast, accurate and reliable NIPT solutions, helping us to improve the lives of our patients and their families.” For more information about Yourgene’s IONA Nx NIPT Workflow, please visit: https://yourgenehealth.com/our-products/nipt-solutions/nipt/the-iona-test/

About Yourgene Health

Yourgene Health is an international integrated technologies and services business, enabling the delivery of genomic medicine. The Group works in partnership with global leaders in DNA technology to advance diagnostic science. Yourgene Health is part of the Novacyt group of companies. Yourgene primarily develops, manufactures, and commercialises simple and accurate molecular diagnostic and screening solutions, for reproductive health and precision medicine. The Group’s portfolio of in vitro diagnostic products includes non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) for Down’s Syndrome and other genetic disorders, Cystic Fibrosis screening tests, invasive rapid aneuploidy tests and DPYD genotyping assays. Building on our expertise in genomic technology, Yourgene’s Ranger® Technology offers next generation size selection with a range of sample preparation platforms for dynamic target enrichment. Ranger® Technology can be utilised to improve workflows and performance in multiple applications including NIPT, oncology, infectious disease testing and gene synthesis. Yourgene Genomic Services offers a clinical service from the UK focusing on precision medicine and reproductive health, including NIPT. Visit: www.yourgenehealth.com.

About Genetix

At the helm of Laboratorio Genetix is a highly experienced medical director, with over 19 years of expertise in genetic testing and a strong focus on reproductive health. Our unique strength lies in our comprehensive approach, offering testing and genetic counselling to provide clarity and support in every step of the diagnostic and health journey. Genetix is committed to providing full coverage, from proper test selection to the interpretation of results, and to supporting and strengthening the Colombian medical community’s patients. Visit: https://genetix.com.co/.

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