Harmony Prenatal Test : a simple blood test to detect common fetal trisomies.
COMPARISON OF CELL-FREE DNA (cfDNA) PRENATAL TEST METHODS
Directed Analysis Massively Parallel
Shotgun Sequencing
Directed analysis of cfDNA
fragments ensuring
reproducible results		 Random analysis of cfDNA
fragments
Low cost due to analysis of one-
tenth as many cfDNA fragment as
shotgun sequencing		 High cost due to analysis requiring
tens of millions of cfDNA fragments
Detailed test result that
provides individualized trisomy risk
assessment for each patient sample		 Binary test result with no
specific individual risk score
or quantifiable information

Revolutionary DNA technology

A variety of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis methods have been developed to test for fetal trisomies in maternal blood. These fall into two categories: random sequencing (also called massively parallel shotgun sequencing) and directed DNA analysis. The Harmony Prenatal Test uses directed DNA analysis.

Compared to random sequencing, directed cfDNA analysis is simpler, less costly, and more precise. It also provides individualized prenatal test results for trisomy risk.

Massively parallel shotgun sequencing (MPSS)

MPSS analyzes a random subset of cfDNA fragments sampled from maternal blood, comprising millions of molecules. This leads to variability between chromosomes and massive inefficiency in terms of data use, operating costs, and versatility. Results are population-based.

Directed DNA analysis

With directed analysis, specific cfDNA fragments from maternal blood are uniformly analyzed across all samples–approximately a tenth the number required for MPSS. This reduces variability and makes it easier to optimize assay conditions and informatics requirements.