Natera, Inc. - NTRA STOCK NEWS

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA) announced that its Signatera molecular residual disease (MRD) test has received coverage from CMS for patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), effective April 19, 2022. This marks the first coverage expansion under the local coverage determination (LCD) for MRD testing in solid tumors. The decision is based on evidence from published studies showing significant benefits of the test in predicting treatment responses and detecting recurrences, thereby improving patient care and decision-making in oncology.

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA) has joined UnitedHealthcare's Preferred Laboratory Network (PLN), effective July 1, 2022. This network includes labs that meet high standards for access, cost, data, quality, and service. Natera's participation aims to enhance patient outcomes and optimize healthcare costs for UnitedHealthcare's members. The company has conducted over 3 million cell-free DNA tests globally, supporting critical healthcare decisions in oncology, women's health, and organ health. Natera is committed to integrating personalized genetic testing into standard care.

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA) announced a breakthrough in kidney transplant rejection assessment with its Prospera™ test, validated in the Transplantation journal. The new two-threshold algorithm significantly improves performance by combining donor-derived cfDNA fraction and quantity, achieving AUCs of 0.88 and 0.91 for detecting active rejection. The 'Trifecta' study analyzed 367 biopsy-matched samples, marking the largest cohort in this research area. This advancement underscores the effectiveness of molecular methods over traditional biopsies, promising more reliable diagnostics for transplant recipients.

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA) presented significant data on its Prospera™ and Renasight™ tests during the American Transplant Congress (ATC) 2022, showcasing advancements in detecting kidney transplant rejection. The two-threshold algorithm for the Prospera test demonstrated superior performance over the traditional dd-cfDNA percentage, with AUC scores of 0.88 and 0.82 against molecular and histological biopsy assessments, respectively. Natera's commitment to innovation is underscored by the presentation of 14 sessions and 13 peer-reviewed papers over the past year, enhancing its leadership in transplant diagnostics.

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA) announced new clinical data on its Signatera molecular residual disease (MRD) test, to be presented at the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting from June 3-7, 2022. Key findings include 82% detection of ctDNA pre-treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and 100% detection of relapses prior to imaging. In breast cancer, Signatera demonstrated an 88% detection rate for recurrence. Additionally, ctDNA dynamics predicted outcomes in renal cell carcinoma. These insights highlight Signatera's effectiveness in monitoring cancer treatment and detecting recurring disease.

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA) has appointed Minetta Liu, M.D., as its new chief medical officer of oncology. Dr. Liu will lead the company's clinical and scientific efforts to establish the clinical utility of Signatera™ and integrate it into standard medical practice. Previously, she served at Mayo Clinic, contributing significantly to blood-based biomarker development. She succeeds Alexey Aleshin, now general manager for early cancer detection. This leadership change aims to enhance Natera's mission to improve cancer patient outcomes.

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA) announced that co-founder and Executive Chairman Matthew Rabinowitz, along with his family's trust, acquired 470,000 shares of the company, investing over $10 million in the last two months. This highlights Rabinowitz's confidence in Natera's mission and future initiatives in women's health, oncology, and transplant. Additionally, executive leaders and non-employee directors have opted for 100% equity compensation for 2022. Roelof Botha, lead independent director, also invested $5 million in Natera stock recently.

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA) reported first-quarter 2022 revenues of $194.1 million, a 27.5% increase from Q1 2021, driven primarily by strong product revenue growth of $190.0 million, reflecting a 57.8% year-over-year rise. The company processed approximately 489,300 tests, a 40.5% increase from the prior year. Following strong performance, Natera raised its 2022 revenue guidance from $770-790 million to $790-810 million. However, operating expenses rose 53.5% to $228.0 million, leading to a net loss of $138.6 million or ($1.45) per diluted share.

Natera, a leader in cell-free DNA testing, will release its Q1 2022 financial results on May 5, 2022, after market close. A conference call will follow at 1:30 PM PT to discuss these results and future outlook. The company's operations span oncology, women's health, and organ health, supported by over 100 peer-reviewed studies affirming their test accuracy. Natera is committed to integrating personalized genetic testing into standard care, thereby enhancing patient health.