AUSTIN, Texas - Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:NTRA), a pioneer in the field of cell-free DNA testing, has recently announced the publication of two significant studies, DTRT-2 and Trifecta-Heart, which reveal the efficacy of the Prospera Heart test in detecting heart transplant rejection in both adults and children. The test, which measures donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in the recipient’s blood, aims to provide a non-invasive alternative to traditional biopsy procedures.
The DTRT-2 study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), involved 487 samples from 160 heart transplant recipients, including 78 pediatric patients. The results showed an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.82 and 0.83 for adult and pediatric patients, respectively, with a high negative predictive value (NPV) indicating the test’s reliability as a rule-out tool for transplant rejection.
Similarly, the Trifecta-Heart study, which will be presented at the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Annual Meeting, analyzed 137 plasma samples. The Prospera Heart test demonstrated an AUC of 0.90 and an NPV of 96%, reaffirming its accuracy in detecting acute rejection.
These findings are particularly relevant considering the annual number of heart transplants in the U.S. and the associated risks of traditional biopsies. With about 4,100 heart transplants performed each year, including approximately 490 pediatric cases, the potential for a non-invasive diagnostic tool like Prospera Heart to reduce the need for invasive biopsies is significant.
The Prospera Heart test was launched in 2021 and gained Medicare coverage after the publication of the DEDUCE study. It leverages Natera’s SNP-based massively multiplexed PCR technology to detect allograft rejection with high precision, without requiring prior genotyping of donor or recipient.
As the 2024 ISHLT Annual Meeting approaches, Natera is set to deliver an oral presentation and six poster presentations related to its Prospera Heart and Prospera Lung tests. These latest data underscore the test's potential to change the standard of care in heart transplant surveillance, reducing the number of invasive procedures and improving patient quality of life.
The information reported is based on a press release statement.
InvestingPro Insights
As Natera, Inc. continues to make strides in the medical field with its Prospera Heart test, the company's financial and market performance offers insights that may be of interest to investors. The market capitalization of Natera stands at a robust 11.68 billion USD, reflecting the company's significant presence in the industry. Despite the promising technological advancements, analysts have highlighted that Natera is not expected to be profitable this year, with a negative P/E ratio of -25.75 for the last twelve months as of Q1 2023. However, the company's revenue growth remains strong, with a 31.99% increase in the last twelve months and an even higher quarterly growth of 43.2% in Q1 2023.
Investors may note that Natera's stock is currently trading near its 52-week high, with a price that is 97.91% of this peak. This aligns with the InvestingPro Tip indicating a high return over the last year, and substantial price upticks over the last six months and three months, at 122.16% and 49.19% respectively. Additionally, the company's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, which is a positive sign of financial health. Natera operates with a moderate level of debt, and while it does not pay dividends, the significant returns over various time frames may compensate for this aspect for certain investors.
For those interested in more detailed analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, including insights on earnings revisions and RSI indicators that suggest the stock is in overbought territory. To explore these further, one can visit the dedicated InvestingPro page for Natera at https://www.investing.com/pro/NTRA. Moreover, for readers seeking to delve deeper into the financial metrics and investment tips, using the coupon code PRONEWS24 will provide an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, offering a comprehensive resource for informed investment decisions.
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