DASA Group to Provide Natera’s Panorama™ Non-Invasive Prenatal Test for Detection of Chromosomal Abnormalities, Such as Down Syndrome, from the Ninth Week of Gestation

DASA Group and Natera today announced that DASA Group will begin offering Natera’s non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) Panorama ™ for the detection of genetic syndromes common in the population, such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome ), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) and monosomy X (Turner syndrome). The test uses a simple blood draw from the mother and can be performed within the first trimester of pregnancy, as early as nine weeks, without any risk to the fetus.

According to Dr. Gustavo Guida, geneticist and consultant for DASA Group, the test is an advanced genetic screen. "Small amounts of DNA from the fetus enter the mother’s bloodstream through the placenta. By comparing the sequence of the DNA, using identified fetal and maternal chromosomes, it is possible to predict with high accuracy if these syndromes are present in the baby. This technology has already been used in tens of thousands of women around the world with excellent results.”

Dr. Guida explains that this test is a breakthrough compared to available methods of obtaining information. Certain approaches require intrauterine fetal genetic material, the collection of which carries a small risk of a miscarriage. Also, while Panorama has high levels of accuracy in early pregnancy, other non-invasive tests, such as the Triple Test and Quad Test, only show high accuracy with samples obtained later in pregnancy.

“We have seen tremendous response to Panorama, our advanced non-invasive prenatal test, through our global launch, and now are excited to bring it to Brazil through DASA Group’s highly respected service centers,” said Matthew Rabinowitz, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Natera. “We continue to research additional applications for the technology to meet our goal of providing the most reliable information possible to expecting parents.”

Across multiple clinical trials, Panorama has been validated globally for trisomy 21, trisomy 18, trisomy 13 and monosomy X with a sensitivity of greater than 99% for trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13, 92% for monosomy X, and no false positives for all syndromes tested. Clinical validation data was presented at the annual Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine Meeting on Feb. 15, 2013. The most recent independently led, blinded study was published in May 2013 in Prenatal Diagnosis by author Professor Nicolaides, Ph.D., and The Fetal Medicine Foundation. This study also demonstrated a sensitivity of greater than 99% for detection of triploidy. Panorama is currently being evaluated in several other clinical trials for the detection of other genetic disorders, including XXY, XYY and XXX.

The non-invasive prenatal test Panorama will be offered through the Delboni brands Sergio Franco and Alta, which are both part of DASA Group.

About DASA Group

DASA Group is a reference in the Brazilian healthcare market for its principles of excellent support, innovation, and quality of services offered to the population. With 50 years of experience in provision of ancillary diagnostic services (ADS), the company has one of the biggest medical teams in the country, comprised of nearly two thousand renowned doctors in Brazil and abroad, in addition to 18,000 professionals trained to provide the best support to clients.

The continuous investments in solutions and services that integrate technology and innovation are targeted at all social classes by means of its brands and service provision to small and medium laboratories (Alvaro) and the public healthcare system (CientíficaLab).

The only company in the healthcare market to have won the Agência Estado Distinction Award for Sustainable Companies 2010 and fourth place in the Agência Estado – Economática 2009 Ranking, DASA Group bears OHSA 18001, ISO 14001 and ISO 16001, College of American Pathologists (CAP) and National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) certifications, in addition to accreditations by the Clinical Laboratory Accreditation Program (PALC) and the National Accreditation Organization (ONA).

A pioneer in offering clinical analysis and diagnostic imaging exams at the same location, guaranteeing convenience to its clients, DASA Group offers an ample selection of more than three thousand types of exams through its 25 brands (more than 500 units), located in 13 states in Brazil and in the Federal District.

Since 1999, DASA Group has acquired 24 companies in the sector, which strengthen it and contribute to its recognition as one of the four biggest groups in the world and unique in Latin America.

For more information visit: www.dasa.com.br.

About Natera

Natera is a leading genetic testing company that has developed a proprietary bioinformatics-based technology to deliver accurate and comprehensive high-throughput testing for reproductive indications from tiny quantities of DNA. Natera operates a CLIA-certified laboratory in San Carlos, Calif., providing a host of preconception and prenatal genetic testing services. Test offerings include pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to identify chromosomal anomalies or inherited genetic conditions in embryos generated during an IVF cycle; products-of-conception testing following miscarriage to rapidly and extensively analyze fetal chromosomes in order to understand the cause of the pregnancy loss; non-invasive prenatal testing to determine paternity; carrier screening tests to detect whether parents carry genetic variations that may result in disease in the child; and PanoramaTM, a safe, simple test for pregnant women that identifies the most common chromosomal anomalies in a fetus as early as nine weeks. Natera's clinical trial for non-invasive screening of fetal chromosomal anomalies is funded by the NIH and is being conducted by the leaders in maternal-fetal medicine in the United States. For more information, visit www.natera.com.

Contacts:
Russo Partners
Ian Stone, 619-308-6540 
ian.stone@russopartnersllc.com

Natera, Inc.
Solomon Moshkevich, 650-249-9090 
smoshkevich@natera.com

DASA Group Press Office
RMA Comunicação – dasa@rmacomunicacao.com.br
Renata Viana – 11 2244-5953 / 98536-8259
Aline Ramos – 11 2244-5970 / 98536-8149
Renata Soller – 11 2244-5963 / 98536-8215