Counsyl, ARUP partner to expand pregnancy genetic test offering for prospective parents

Counsyl has partnered with ARUP Laboratories, a nonprofit enterprise of the University of Utah, to expand its pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy genetic test offering for prospective parents. ARUP's molecular genetic testing laboratory already provides a comprehensive set of testing options for a broad range of inherited disorders. The partnership with Counsyl complements ARUP's existing services for genomic medicine. Dr. Sherrie Perkins, Chief Medical Officer at ARUP, stated, "We are pleased that the relationship with Counsyl now allows ARUP to offer testing for over 100 recessive genetic disorders to more than half of the nation's university, teaching and children's hospitals."

Included in the Counsyl Test are life-threatening conditions, such as spinal muscular atrophy, Smith-Lemli-Opitz, and Tay-Sachs disease. Several inherited metabolic disorders that can be treated with dietary modifications and supplements are also part of the test.

ARUP has historically used innovation and technology to support their clients' need for specialty testing. For tests not performed at ARUP, high-quality test performance and exceptional clinical utility are the two primary criteria used to establish external partnerships. Counsyl uses high throughput technology to simultaneously screen for over 400 genetic variants from one tube of blood. Ramji Srinivasan, CEO of Counsyl, stated, "We're energized about working with ARUP to make carrier screening a routine part of family planning across the country." Implicit in the partnership is a shared mission between Counsyl and ARUP to improve access to quality patient care while reducing healthcare costs.