Good Start's Test Detects More Carriers

By Bio-IT World Staff 

 

October 17, 2013 | Good Start Genetics presented additional data on their GoodStart Select carrier screening test. GoodStart reports that 8.4% of carriers of genetic diseases detected with the Good Start tests would have been missed using other available technologies. 

 

“Accurate carrier screening provides couples with the personalized genetic information needed to best understand the risks of conceiving a child with a debilitating or fatal inherited disease prior to becoming pregnant,” said Don Hardison, president and chief executive officer of Good Start Genetics, in a statement. “Our goal is to deliver the premier solution for genetic screening in reproductive medicine, and be the preferred partner for the development of clinically relevant and commercially viable NGS-based diagnostics in reproductive medicine and beyond.  These data further reinforce the differentiated accuracy and clinical relevance our product brings to the carrier screening market and to couples seeking to make informed decisions prior to undertaking the financial and emotional investment of in-vitro fertilization.”

 

Good Start Genetics is a molecular diagnostics company harnessing a powerful, proprietary next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) capability. The platform detected significantly more mutations than common screening assays, the company reported, specifically 39% of distinct disease-causing mutations detected by NGS would have been missed with traditional screening. In a clinical setting (in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers across the U.S.), evaluating 16,481 patients, 771 pathogenic mutations among 15 genes were detected. 

 

Good Start’s NGS capabilities can be applied to multiple disease areas, including pre-conception carrier screening in the in-vitro fertilization setting.