Natera


Natera is a genetic testing company that operates a CLIA-certified laboratory in San Carlos, California. The company specializes in analyzing microscopic quantities of DNA for reproductive health indications to provide preconception and prenatal genetic testing services primarily to OBGYN physicians and in vitro fertilization centers.
In early 2013, the company launched Panorama, a non-invasive prenatal test for pregnant women that screens for the most common chromosomal anomalies in a fetus as early as nine weeks of gestation. Other services include tests for preimplantation genetic diagnosis 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, which holds a license to the technology in the United States.
In July 2015, Natera conducted an initial public offering of common stock at a price of $18.00 per share. The shares trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "NTRA."

Panorama Test

Natera launched a non-invasive prenatal test in February 2013 called Panorama, that uses an advanced bioinformatics-based algorithm to analyze the cell-free fetal DNA that is found in the mother’s blood. Panorama 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, sex chromosome abnormalities, triploidy and certain microdeletions as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. 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 Sequenom, Ariosa, Yourgene Health, Ravgen, and Verinata Health. Other companies and universities that are working towards developing non-invasive prenatal testing include Stanford University, Fluidigm, and Ikonisys.