August 01, 2017 |
The two acquired firms - Good Start Genetics of Cambridge, Mass., and Irvine's CombiMatrix - specialize in testing pregnant women and fetuses for genetic abnormalities that may increase the likelihood of developmental problems in the child. The tests are ordered by obstetricians and reproductive endocrinologists for patients undergoing in vitro fertilization, or IVF. Several other firms already compete in the prenatal genetic screening market, including South San Francisco's Counsyl, San Carlos' Natera and San Diego's Sequenom, which is owned by the lab diagnostics giant LabCorp. Prenatal screening has become more widely available in recent years, as the technology to screen for genetic abnormalities continues to advance rapidly. [...] some experts have cautioned against interpreting the results - which can yield false positives - without seeking the advice of a medical expert or genetic counselor. Unlike direct-to-consumer genetic tests like those sold by 23andMe, these tests are ordered by a physician and increasingly are covered by major commercial health insurers. Invitae currently partners with biotech firms MyoKardia, BioMarin and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals to share patients' genetic information, with their consent, to be used in the development of drugs to treat genetic disorders, including patients' participation in clinical trials.
SFGate