According to the company, when a pregnant individual is found to carry a recessive single-gene condition, it is standard practice to test the partner to assess the risk to the unborn child.

Fetal Focus has been developed for cases where a pregnant individual has been identified as a carrier for one of the top five routinely screened genes through Natera’s Horizon carrier screening, and the biological father’s genetic information is not accessible.

The test operates by analysing a sample of the mother’s blood to screen the foetus directly for the identified gene.

The solution is claimed to be validated for analysing five genes associated with conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis, alpha-thalassemia, and beta-hemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease.