Benzinga | Apr 7, 2021 09:57AM EDT

Natera Reports Implementation Of First Wave Of Panorama AI Innovations

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA), a pioneer and global leader in cell-free DNA testing, has implemented the first wave of Panorama AI innovations following the breakthrough results shared earlier from the SMART study.



Panorama AI is a new algorithm for the Panorama NIPT that leverages enhanced probabilistic modeling and artificial intelligence-based technology, builds on the unique SNP-based platform, and utilizes information from over 2 million cfDNA tests performed by Natera. These improvements were validated in SMART, the largest prospective NIPT study ever conducted with more than 20,000 enrolled patients. The impact of the innovations that were launched recently include:

* Improved positive predictive value (PPV) for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome from 24% to 53%, the highest in the industry, to complement the highest sensitivity

* 50% reduction of no-call rate while maintaining the highest sensitivity for aneuploidies

* Reduction in cost of goods sold (COGS) from workflow changes that were made possible by Panorama AI

"Offering an aneuploidy test with the highest sensitivity has always been central to the Panorama test. It's easy to provide results to everyone if you don't set high standards of quality. I am pleased that our Data Science team was able to develop proprietary algorithms that allow us to reduce the no-call rate by 50% in the first wave of innovations, while maintaining our stringent quality standards, and lowering COGS," said George Gemelos, SVP of R&D and head of the Data Science team at Natera. "Further, the significant improvement in PPV for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome has been positively received by thought leaders, especially when combined with our industry leading sensitivity, which bodes well for societal endorsement of universal screening during pregnancy."

"Our market leadership has been driven by significant competitive advantages related to innovation documented in 23 publications including more than 1.3 million patients. We are extremely pleased with the receptivity of the SMART data after we announced it at the SMFM conference earlier this year," said Ramesh Hariharan, General Manager of the Women's Health business for Natera. "In addition to having a positive impact on test volumes, the recent wave of innovations position Natera's Women's Health business to become profitable in 2021, further increasing our position of strength in the NIPT market."