Proprietary qPCR assay planned to be ready to market during 2018

LifeCodexx AG, a leading European NIPT provider, and the Department of Obstetrics of the Charité have formed a research alliance to intensify research and development of a novel molecular genetic-based assay for the early detection of preeclampsia, a severe disorder in pregnancy characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after the 20^thweek of gestation. It is the cause of approximately 16 percent of all maternal deaths in developed countries and up to 25 percent of the total perinatal mortality. Since two to eight percent of all pregnancies worldwide are affected, the incidence for preeclampsia is considerably higher than for fetal trisomy 21, for example.

This collaboration builds on an ongoing research partnership between LifeCodexx AG and the University Hospital Wuerzburg (Germany) in which the partners recently demonstrated in a successful clinical proof-of principle that the proprietary qPCR-based assay developed by LifeCodexx AG clearly distinguishes between patients affected with preeclampsia and non-affected patients. Now, in the new cooperation with the Charité, leading in the field of clinical research for preeclampsia diagnosis in Germany, the aim is to predict preeclampsia at an early stage of pregnancy.

 “A rapid non-invasive test that accurately predicts preeclampsia early in pregnancy will address a significant unmet medical need by identifying women at risk for the disease,” said Dr. Stefan Verlohren, Consultant at the Department of Obstetrics and Head of the Preeclampsia research group at the Charité. “A reliable early molecular genetic test would be a big step forward in better predicting the disorder, potentially reducing maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.”

 “We are excited about this new research alliance in the field of preeclampsia which will continue to establish LifeCodexx at the forefront of providing innovative prenatal care solutions by means of safe and reliable molecular genetic based tests,” comments Dr. Michael Lutz, Chief Executive Officer of LifeCodexx AG. “The positive clinical proof-of principle for a first assay version based on our qPCR-based technology platform is another key milestone following our recent CE approval for our qPCR-based PrenaTest®. Our aim is to launch the novel preeclampsia assay within the coming year.”

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