BillionToOne has announced that its UNITY Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) for fetal antigens is being adopted by Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) doctors in maternity health deserts, providing an alternative to weekly Doppler ultrasounds for high-risk pregnancies.
The UNITY Fetal Antigen NIPT screens patients who are alloimmunized to certain antigens for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), a blood disorder where a baby’s red blood cells break down rapidly. The test eliminates the need for frequent long-distance travel to specialized clinics for follow-up care.
“This advanced screening technology is revolutionizing how we care for expectant mothers in our rural communities,” said Dr. Peter Van Eerden, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist at Sanford Clinic in North Dakota. “With UNITY, we’re able to provide vital care to patients who previously had to travel hundreds of miles for weekly check-ups, improving access to timely interventions if needed.”
The impact is particularly significant in regions like North Dakota and northern Minnesota, where patients previously had to travel 3-5 hours one way to reach clinics in cities like Bismarck, Fargo, or Bemidji. Many rural clinics lack the specialized equipment and trained personnel needed for weekly Doppler ultrasounds.
“One of our main goals for the UNITY Fetal Antigen NIPT is to democratize access to high-quality maternal care,” said Jennifer Hoskovec, MS, Certified Genetic Counselor and VP of Medical Affairs at BillionToOne. “Seeing how our technology is making such a profound difference in rural communities is incredibly rewarding, and it truly reflects the broader impact we aim to achieve at BillionToOne of improving maternal health outcomes, regardless of geography.”
According to March of Dimes, over 35% of U.S. counties are classified as maternity care deserts, lacking birthing facilities or obstetric providers. This affects over 2.3 million women of reproductive age and approximately 150,000 births annually. Between 2020 and 2022, there were over 10,000 excess preterm births in maternity care deserts and limited access counties.
BillionToOne reports having provided tests to over 500,000 patients to date.
