This local provision by Laboriad, marketed as the COSY test, offers expedited, reliable screening to pregnant women, thereby reducing the necessity for invasive procedures and the accompanying emotional strain.

The COSY test is a sophisticated screening tool for assessing the probability of chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 21 (Down’s syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards’ syndrome), and trisomy 13 (Patau’s syndrome), and can also determine fetal sex. It is a comprehensive CE-IVD solution for labs to implement their own NIPT services. Utilising next-generation sequencing on a maternal blood sample, the test guarantees results within three days and supports varying laboratory capacities.

Historically, NIPT samples from Morocco were dispatched to European countries for analysis. Laboriad's integration of the IONA test enables it to serve as a regional NIPT provider, enhancing local access to this technology and mitigating issues such as delays that can affect test accuracy.

Lyn Rees, Executive Director at Yourgene Health, commented on the company's dedication to offering superior NIPT solutions and its role as a trusted industry name. The establishment of this service in Morocco, in conjunction with Laboriad, reflects their commitment to improving patient care within the region.

Dr Jalil Elattar, Director at Centre de Biologie Riad, expressed his anticipation for the benefits this will bring to the clinical management of pregnancy in Morocco, citing the previous challenges associated with international sample shipment. The collaboration with Yourgene Health marks a significant milestone in making NIPT accessible and affordable within the country.