PerkinElmer, Verinata Collaborate on Prenatal Test

PerkinElmer and Verinata Health have entered a collaboration agreement to distribute the latter’s fetal chromosomal abnormality test. The agreement was announced just a couple of days after San Diego-based genome sequence instrument manufacturer Illumina entered into terms to acquire Verinata for $450 million. Based in Redwood City, Calif., Verinata introduced its chromosome test, known as verifi, last February. It uses Illumina instruments to analyze blood samples for signs of Down syndrome, Patau Syndrome, and Edwards Syndrome in fetuses who may be considered high-risk (e.g., the mother is over 35 years of age, has a prior family history of chromosomal abnormalities, or there are abnormalities on an ultrasound test). Results can be obtained as early as 10 weeks into gestation. The test retails for about $1,200, according to published reports. Prenatal testing has decreased the number of abnormal births in the U.S. by a significant amount in recent years, according to research. Under the terms with PerkinElmer, the Waltham, Mass.-based testing giant will be the exclusive partner with Verinata to market and distribute the verifi test. Verinata will continue to perform the test at its lab in Redwood City. “Integrating Verinata’s noninvasive prenatal test with PerkinElmer’s existing solutions ensures that physicians and patients have early access to the most advanced testing solutions to help protect the health of mothers and babies and we look forward to working with Illumina,” said Robert Friel, PerkinElmer’s chief executive officer. “Collaborating with PerkinElmer provides a great opportunity to . . . offer expectant mothers greater access to complete high-quality screening and diagnostic tests,” said Jeff Bird, M.D., Verinata Health’s chief executive officer.