Source BioScience launches new non-invasive prenatal testing service

Source BioScience has announced the launch of its new non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) service.

The company utilises the Verifi prenatal test to screen for Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome, as well as other clinically significant genetic abnormalities and sex chromosome conditions.

It requires only a small maternal blood sample and uses-cutting edge next-generation sequencing technology to analyse foetal cell-free DNA for chromosomal abnormalities.

Whereas other more invasive procedures – such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling – carry a potential risk of miscarriage, NIPT is risk-free and can be performed as early as the tenth week of pregnancy.

Dr Tom Burr, scientific director at Source BioScience, said: "NIPT represents a real step forward in reducing the risk of testing during pregnancy. This test provides significant benefits that will hopefully lead to a reduction in the number of invasive tests performed in the future."

The company recently agreed a deal to purchase Select Pharma Laboratories, a move that will create one of Europe's strongest and most comprehensive businesses for integrated stability storage and stability testing services.