Biotech firm strikes deal for 10th IONA laboratory

PREMAITHA Health has signed an agreement offer its IONA non-invasive prenatal screening test from a second laboratory in France.

The new laboratory is the Manchester company’s 10th such facility and will be located in central France to act as a regional hub.

The CE-marked IONA test detects Downs Syndrome and other genetic conditions using samples of blood.

Due to its high degree of accuracy, the IONA test can significantly reduce the number of pregnant women who are unnecessarily subjected to a stressful follow up invasive procedure. Follow-up procedures are both costly and resource intensive and present a risk to the fetus.  

Chief executive of AIM-listed Premaitha, Dr Stephen Little said: “With one lab already live in France and the second expected to be operational in the second quarter this year, the IONA test is making it easier for women in France to access a safe and accurate test for prenatal screening.

“With an estimated 800,000 births a year, France is an important market for Premaitha.

“Following today’s agreement, we now have 10 customer laboratories offering the IONA test in the UK and internationally, which is a significant milestone in our first year since the IONA test was launched, and also creates very strong foundations for future growth.”