Advancing women's reproductive diagnostics through noninvasive technology
Powered by our platform of noninvasive liquid biopsy, we are creating safe diagnostic and screening solutions that provide proactive insights into women’s reproductive health. These tools are centered around the prediction and early detection of complex maternal and gynecological health conditions, providing key health insights that can enable individualized care and better health outcomes for women.
Noninvasive Prenatal Screening
There is a growing need for accessible and low-risk prenatal screening as a proactive measure to assess the health of the pregnancy and discover signs of pregnancy-related complications. Expectant mothers should be empowered with the knowledge to make informed decisions about concerns that may impact their health and the health of their baby.
Historically, amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) have been used for prenatal testing in high-risk pregnancies to detect genetic conditions and abnormalities, but these invasive procedures come with their own risks and should only be administered when necessary for confirmatory purposes.
50%
of spontaneous miscarriages involve fetal chromosomal abnormalities1
20%
of infant deaths are directly related to birth defects2
10%
of clinical pregnancies have chromosome abnormalities3
Our Approach
Noninvasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) offers an early method of detecting the risk of a baby being born with a specific genetic condition. Using maternal plasma, we look for DNA methylation biomarkers to evaluate the fetal genetic health at a low risk to both the mother and baby.
Noninvasive prenatal screening is recommended for all pregnancies, regardless of maternal age or chromosomal risk.⁴ By screening for chromosome conditions early on in the pregnancy, expectant mothers can collaborate with their care team to determine the need for additional diagnostics testing.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a highly variable and complex medical condition related to pregnancy that is mainly characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and high levels of protein in the urine. There are several factors that can influence a mother’s risk of developing preeclampsia, however, the exact cause of the condition remains unknown. Preeclampsia can develop from as early as 20 weeks gestation and can even occur after delivery. The symptoms range from mild to severe, and can lead to further serious medical complications, such as preterm birth5 , making it one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity.
2-10%
of pregnancies are affected by preclampsia6
12%
of global maternal deaths are directlt related to preeclampsia7
500,000
global fetal deaths occur every year due to preeclampsia8
Our Approach
We are developing noninvasive technology for the early gestational screening of preeclampsia by analyzing cfDNA methylation patterns in maternal plasma. While there is currently no known cure for preeclampsia, early detection and appropriate management of symptoms can help improve the likelihood of a safe birth and reduce the mother’s risk of developing other potentially life-threatening complications.
Preterm birth
Preterm birth—any birth that occurs before 37 weeks gestation—is associated with high risks of morbidity and mortality, making it a major health concern in obstetrics. Infants who survive preterm birth are often at a higher risk for chronic diseases and conditions.
12%
of U.S. births are preterm9
1M
Every year, 1 million preterm infants die worldwide due to complications from preterm birth10
20%
Over 21.5% of preterm infants are born with birth defects11
Our Approach
The prediction of spontaneous preterm birth could allow for revised birth plans and other healthcare adjustments to improve the likelihood of a healthy birth. Rather than obtaining amniotic fluid or fetal blood, we are developing a solution using a maternal blood sample as a low-risk and minimally invasive method to identify DNA methylation biomarkers. These biomarkers may help predict the risk of pregnancy complications associated with preterm birth.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside its normal anatomic location. There is currently no known cure for the condition, often causing many debilitating symptoms and a severe impact on a woman’s quality of life. Women with endometriosis have a high risk of infertility as well as developing endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer.
15%
of reproductive age women are impacted by endometriosis12
4-11 Years
the average waiting period between the onset of endometriosis symptoms and diagnosis13
30%-50%
of women with endometriosis experience infertility14
Our Approach
Traditional diagnostics of endometriosis typically involve a laparoscopy—an invasive surgery that is often not a timely or accessible option for many patients. Our approach utilizes patient plasma as a minimally invasive method to identify DNA methylation biomarkers for early detection of endometriosis.