Sera Prognostics’ PreTRM Test to Assess for Risk of Preterm Birth Launched Exclusively by LabCorp
LabCorp® (NYSE: LH) today announced the nationwide availability of the PreTRM® test. Developed by Sera Prognostics, Inc., the PreTRM test is the first of its kind validated blood test that provides an early and individualized prediction of preterm birth risk for pregnant women. LabCorp and Sera previously announced their strategic collaboration for LabCorp to be the exclusive U.S. distributor of Sera’s PreTRM test. LabCorp was also a lead investor in Sera’s recently closed Series C financing round.
“As the exclusive U.S. laboratory to offer Sera’s PreTRM test, LabCorp continues to build a leading position in women’s and reproductive health diagnostics,” said Gary M. Huff, chief executive officer of LabCorp Diagnostics. “We are excited about our collaboration with Sera, and this innovative test is part of our ongoing strategy to deliver world-class diagnostics that can improve health and lives.”
The PreTRM test is performed on a standard blood specimen collected during weeks 19 and 20 of pregnancy. The specimen must be collected at one of LabCorp’s over 1,750 patient service centers.
The test can help physicians provide better care by helping to predict the risk of preterm birth, providing the opportunity to intervene earlier to help extend the pregnancy towards full-term. Preterm birth is the leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity in the U.S. and worldwide. Approximately 400,000 of the 4,000,000 annual births in the U.S. are preterm, defined as prior to week 37 of pregnancy, and up to 50 percent of women who delivery prematurely do not have any identified risk factors for preterm birth. According to the March of Dimes, the average cost of care for a premature baby is ten times the average cost for a full-term baby. Children born prematurely can require long-term or lifetime care, with significant additional cost. Each additional week towards full-term pregnancy can help to prevent mortality, improve a variety of health outcomes, including respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes, and eliminate or reduce the expense and impact of caring for a preterm infant.
The PreTRM test was supported by the landmark Proteomic Assessment of Preterm Risk study, which followed over 5,500 pregnant women, analyzed over 300 proteins in maternal blood and identified a two-protein signature that was found to be highly predictive of spontaneous preterm birth. The test is a significant addition to LabCorp’s differentiated women’s healthcare and reproductive genetics offerings. These include MaterniT®21, a proprietary, clinically validated non-invasive prenatal test, and the industry’s largest network of genetic counselors who can help patients understand genetic test results. In addition, LabCorp offers patient-focused services such as support to obtain insurance pre-authorization before a test is performed and a personalized estimate of the out-of-pocket cost of services before specimen collection by LabCorp.
For more information about the PreTRM test, please visit www.PreTRM.com and the PreTRM test YouTube Channel. You can also join the conversation on Facebook and @PreTRM. For more information about LabCorp’s comprehensive pregnancy services from preconception through delivery, including the PreTRM test, please visit www.labcorp.com/provider-services/programs/partners-pregnancy.
