Verinata Health Announces Successful Introduction Of Its verifi™ Prenatal Test

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Verinata Health, Inc., a privately-held company dedicated to maternal and fetal health, today announced that physicians across the country are now using the verifi™ prenatal test. In addition, the company will be presenting two key studies demonstrating the company's proprietary method to detect chromosomal abnormalities across the entire genome at the 16th International Conference on Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy (ISPD) scheduled to take place June 3 through June 6, 2012 in Miami, Florida.

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Abstract #226: Whole Genome Maternal Plasma DNA Sequencing Accurately Detects Autosomal and Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies. This is the first study to detect sex chromosome aneuploidies by massively parallel sequencing (MPS). Oral presentation to be made by Diana W. Bianchi, M.D., of the Mother Infant Research Institute at Tufts Medical Center.

Abstract #228: Percentage of Fetal Cell Free DNA in Maternal Plasma: Dependence on Multiple Clinical Factors. This study concludes that the fetal fraction of DNA in a maternal blood sample is not significantly impacted by clinical factors. Oral presentation to be made by Amy Sehnert, M.D., vice president of clinical affairs of Verinata Health.

Both presentations will be made during Session 2, Non-invasive prenatal testing using cell-free DNA, in the Americana Ballroom Salon 2, on June 4, 2012 from 10:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.

"These data, for the first time, demonstrate that MPS together with our proprietary algorithm can detect Turner syndrome (monosomy X) and all other sex chromosome aneuploidies in addition to trisomy 21, 18, and 13," said Richard Rava, Ph.D., president and co-scientific founder of Verinata Health. "We also determined that the amount of DNA from the fetus in each sample of maternal blood is weakly dependent on body mass index, but is generally not affected by gestational age, maternal race, maternal age or other clinical factors."

Caren Mason, CEO of Verinata Health continued, "In addition to the data we will be presenting at ISPD, we are very pleased with the initial market acceptance of the verifi™ prenatal test.  Our clinical laboratory has already processed more than 1,100 verifi™ prenatal tests in just the initial weeks of operation and we are seeing an increasing run rate week to week.  I have been privileged to lead this team to commercial launch and am excited about the prospects for the future.  As planned, I have completed my operating leadership commitment to Verinata and will be providing the company with consultative services going forward." 

Leadership Update

"Caren came out of retirement to join Verinata with the specific objective to commercialize the company and the product," commented Dr. Jeff Bird, executive chairman and interim chief executive officer.  "Under Caren's leadership, the company was rebranded as Verinata Health, achieved CAP and CLIA accreditation of our clinical laboratory, completed a large-scale validation study and secured publication of the full results in a prestigious medical journal, all resulting in the successful commercial launch of the verifi™ prenatal test. Caren has achieved these objectives and now we will be recruiting a leader to drive the market adoption and product extensions of the verifi™ test.  We look forward to continuing our partnership with Caren as she continues to provide support for the company."

Verinata Health, Inc.

Verinata is driven by a sole, extraordinary purpose – maternal and fetal health. Our initial focus is to develop and offer non-invasive tests for early identification of fetal chromosomal abnormalities using our proprietary technologies. We aim to reduce the anxiety associated with today's multi-step process, the unacceptable false-positive rates, the non-specific and sometimes confusing results of current prenatal screening methods, as well as the risk of current invasive procedures. In support of national guidelines recommending first trimester aneuploidy risk assessment, we believe women who desire such an assessment should be offered a single blood draw test with a definitive result. The verifi™ prenatal test is available throughout the United States, with the exception of New York, through a physician. For more information about Verinata, please go to www.verinata.com.

SOURCE Verinata Health, Inc.