- Volpara Health Technologies (VHT) enters into a deal with Natera to bring Natera’s Empower Hereditary Cancer Test to customers throughout the US
- The company will create a fully integrated ordering process for Natera genetic testing services within its own Volpara Breast Health Platform
- VHT says its software helps inform decisions on triaging patients to further imaging or genetic testing, based on their risk of developing breast cancer
- VHT shares have ended the day 0.42 per cent in the red to close at $1.19
Volpara Health Technologies (VHT) has partnered with Natera to bring Natera’s Empower Hereditary Cancer Test to Volpara customers throughout the US.
The arrangement will see VHT integrate the test into its software workflow to give women greater access to comprehensive genetic testing services in different clinical settings.
Accordingly, the company plans to create a fully integrated ordering process for Natera’s genetic testing services within its Volpara Breast Health Platform.
VHT said customers already used its breast cancer risk assessment software to make informed decisions for triaging patients to supplemental imaging or genetic testing, based on their personalised risk.
The company said risk assessment was also required by many US insurance companies as a prerequisite for additional testing.
Further, and alongside ultrasounds and MRIs, genetic testing can reportedly assist in early cancer detection and can be critical in reducing treatment costs and increasing chances of survival.
Volpara Group CEO Ralph Highnam commented on the new partnership.
“By adding Natera to our breast health platform, we continue to build our integrations with best-of-breed genetic testing companies in order to offer our customers greater options,” Dr Highnam said.
“Natera will allow us to continue driving the adoption of personalised breast screening in the United States.
“We continue to see strong interest in our risk offerings and the ability to direct women to the appropriate genetic testing at the right time.”
As part of the agreement, VHT said it had the potential to offer increased value to mutual customers upon successful clinical implementation.
VHT shares ended the day 0.42 per cent in the red to close at $1.19.