Natera and Echevarne have entered into a distribution agreement under which Echevarne will offer Natera's non-invasive prenatal screening test (NIPT), Panorama, in Spain.
Panorama was launched in March 2013 for the detection of trisomy 21, trisomy 18, trisomy 13 and select sex chromosome abnormalities, such as monosomy X.
Echevarne CEO Alfonso Echevarne said that the test is the next-generation option for parents and their doctors who want highly accurate information with no risk for the fetus.
Natera CEO Matthew Rabinowitz said that the company has invested considerable time and resources to ensure that Panorama offers physicians and mothers highly accurate and reliable data.
"This partnership with Echevarne will allow Natera to distribute the test to a wide network across Spain as we continue our global roll-out," Rabinowitz added.
Panorama, which uses a simple blood draw from the mother, examines cell-free DNA found in maternal blood originating from both mother and fetus.
The test can be performed within the first trimester of pregnancy, as early as nine weeks, without any risk to the fetus.
Across multiple clinical trilas, Panorama has been validated for trisomy 21, trisomy 18, trisomy 13 and monosomy X.
Panorama is currently being evaluated in several other clinical trials for the detection of other genetic disorders, including XXY, XYY, XXX and triploidy.
