BGI issued patent for non-invasive prenatal genetic test technology

Patent for non-invasive prenatal genetic test technology of BGI granted by European Patent Office and State Intellectual Property Office of China

The European Patent Office has issued patent number EP2561103B1 for invention to BGI for its independently researched non-invasive prenatal genetic test (NIPT) technology. This technology has been developed by BGI in connection with the provision of its market leading NIPT, the NIFTY® test. The patent is effective in 15 member countries including England, Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, Hungary, Sweden, Turkey, Switzerland, Italy, France, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland and Romania.

This patent was granted by the European Patent Office. This is the first patent for non-invasive prenatal genetic testing technology approved by the Europe Patent Office to a mainland Chinese registered company.

Meanwhile, the State Intellectual Property Office of China also issued a Notice of Grant of Patent Right to BGI, meaning that this patent has been granted domestically as well as internationally.

This global recognition for BGI's technology comes after BGI became the first non-invasive prenatal test provider to receive approval from government level for a second generation gene sequencing diagnostic product when it obtained approval from the CFDA in July, 2014.

As of August, 2014, BGI Dx, a subsidiary unit of BGI, has provided non-invasive prenatal genetic testing services via its NIFTY® test to nearly 400,000 pregnant women worldwide.