Yourgene Health, part of the Novacyt group, a large multinational genetic diagnostic firm, has successfully implemented the first non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) platform in Morocco in collaboration with the Centre de Biologie Riad (Laboriad), announced the company in a press release on Thursday.
The introduction of Yourgene Health’s IONA test, locally referred to as the COSY test, marks a transformative leap in prenatal care for expectant parents in the region.
The COSY test estimates the risk factor for predisposal to certain genetic conditions, including Down’s Syndrome, Edwards’ Syndrome, and Patau’s Syndrome, providing crucial information for expectant parents and for their healthcare providers, as well as the sex of the fetus.
The analysis is carried out through a maternal blood test utilizing next-generation sequencing techniques, and the results can be obtained speedily in only three days.
This NIPT solution not only allows for more rapid and accurate testing, but it also virtually eliminates the need to send samples abroad in most cases, making prenatal exams more accessible and affordable for pregnant women in Morocco.
Lyn Rees, Executive Director at Yourgene Health, expressed delight in contributing to enhanced patient care globally and emphasized the company’s commitment to being at the forefront of the NIPT market. “We are very proud, once again, to be contributing to patient care where it is needed and to be the first to bring NIPT to Morocco.”
Dr. Jalil Elattar, Director of Laboriad, highlighted the positive impact on pregnant women in Morocco, stating that the collaboration allows for rapid access to new-generation NIPT, addressing challenges typically faced in the region.
He added, “The clinical management of pregnant women in Africa is difficult, as many do not have access to NIPT, due to the complexity of having to send the samples abroad, resulting in costs and additional delays. . . We are very pleased to collaborate with Yourgene Health who have installed their NIPT technology in our laboratory.”