Sera
Prognostics Inc. is developing a molecular test that it thinks will
accurately predict more than 90% of women at risk for preterm birth, allowing
earlier monitoring and preventive treatment. The company raised $19.3 million
in a series A round in November that will take it to a launch in 2013.
The only methods currently
available to predict preterm birth are history of a previous delivery before 37
weeks of gestation, and ultrasound measurement of the cervix around 20 weeks.