Benzinga | Jun 4, 2021 09:04AM EDT

Natera Announces New Prospera Data At ATC 2021 Virtual Connect Conference

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA), a pioneer and global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, today announced it will present new data on its latest scientific innovations in cfDNA testing at the American Transplant Congress' (ATC) 2021 Virtual Connect, taking place June 4-9, 2021.

Three posters showcasing the scientific progress and performance of the Prospera test will be presented along with four sponsored presentations featuring leading transplant physicians.

"We look forward to sharing our latest findings with the transplant community and believe these innovations will play an important role in helping nephrologists make more timely and informed decisions about the health of their patients' transplanted organs," said Bernie Tobin, Natera's general manager of organ health.

Details about Natera's symposia are as follows:

Fresh Perspectives on Rejection Assessment with cfDNA | June 5, 1:30 PM ET

New Methods to Evaluate Rejection Using Donor Fraction & Dd-cfDNA Quantity

* Suphamai Bunnapradist, M.D., M.S., transplant nephrologist and professor of medicine, University of California, Los Angeles

Cell-free DNA Performance in Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney and Pancreas Recipients

* Samy Riad, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of medicine, division of nephrology and hypertension, University of Minnesota

Prospera in Action: Kinetics and Routine Surveillance

* David Wojciechowski, D.O., medical director, kidney transplantation program, University of Texas Southwestern

* Rodolfo Batarse, M.D., president & nephrologist, Desert Kidney Care

* Ty Dunn, M.D., surgical director of kidney & pancreas transplantation, University of Pennsylvania

Prospera: The Power & Potential of cell-free DNA in Transplantation & Oncology | June 6, 11:30 AM ET

* Hossein Tabriziani, M.D, FACP, FASN, medical director of organ transplantation at Natera, Inc.

Details about the abstract presentations are as follows:

Abstract #LB 76 | Poster Presentation | Presenter: Suphamai Bunnapradist, M.D., M.S.

Detection of rejection in kidney transplant patients using an algorithm that combines donor fraction and dd-cfDNA quantity

Results of a study incorporating the dd-cfDNA fraction with the dd-cfDNA quantity shows improved performance of the Prospera test to assess active rejection. The application of these two values resulted in an increased sensitivity.

Abstract #LB 19 | Oral Presentation | Presenter: Philip F. Halloran, M.D.

Relationship between %dd-cfDNA, MMDx molecular diagnoses, and donor-specific antibody in the Trifecta study

Investigating the relationship between dd-cfDNA, donor-specific antibody (DSA) status, and molecular characteristics of 176 kidney biopsies, as part of the Trifecta study. It finds that dd-cfDNA levels at the time of indication biopsy are highly correlated with class II DSA and rejection status. In addition, this talk will show that many cases of antibody-mediated rejection are DSA negative but still release high levels of dd-cfDNA.

Abstract #322 | Oral Presentation | Presenter: Philip F. Halloran, M.D.

The Trifecta study: Calibrating circulating donor-derived cell-free DNA at the time of indication biopsies against the molecular phenotype of the biopsy reveals a prominent association with NK cell genes

This Trifecta study analysis looks at 300 kidney biopsy samples from 14 centers using MMDx and Prospera test technologies. Genome-wide gene expression profiling indicates that natural killer cell genes, interferon gamma-induced genes and the molecular classifications of active rejection are strongly correlated with dd-cfDNA levels at the time of indication biopsy.