When Blood Compatibility Becomes a Pregnancy Risk

QuidelOrtho (Nasdaq: QDEL) released episode 58 of its Science Bytes podcast, focusing on hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), a serious condition linked to maternal alloimmunization.

Rhea-AI Summary

QuidelOrtho (Nasdaq: QDEL) released episode 58 of its Science Bytes podcast, focusing on hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), a serious condition linked to maternal alloimmunization.

The episode discusses red blood cell antibodies in pregnancy, awareness gaps, and how timely lab testing and coordinated care can improve outcomes.

Argus May 21 session

+4.03% close to close 0.8x rel. volume Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – QDEL

On May 21, the day this news came out, QDEL closed 4.03% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the May 21 session.

Key Figures

Podcast episode number: 58 Publication date: May 21, 2026

Podcast episode number

58

Science Bytes episode focused on HDFN

Publication date

May 21, 2026

News release date for this podcast episode

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 20

5 events

1. May 20

   Investor conferences

   24h Move

   +3.8%

   Announcement of participation in two June 2026 investor conferences and webcasts.

2. May 05

   Earnings results

   24h Move

   -6.0%

   Q1 2026 revenue decline, widened net loss and reduced full‑year guidance.

3. Apr 23

   Educational podcast

   24h Move

   -5.5%

   Science Bytes episode on syphilis trends and congenital syphilis screening gaps.

4. Apr 20

   Acquisition news

   24h Move

   +1.4%

   Announcement of TTP Group’s sale of LEX Diagnostics and VELO PCR platform to QDEL.

5. Apr 20

   Acquisition close

   24h Move

   +1.4%

   Completion of LEX Diagnostics acquisition, adding fast multiplex PCR capabilities.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

in vitro diagnostics, hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, alloimmunization, alloantibodies, +3 more

7 terms

in vitro diagnostics medical

"QuidelOrtho Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL), a global leader of in vitro diagnostics, has released"

In vitro diagnostics are medical tests performed on samples taken from the body—such as blood, urine or tissue—using instruments or kits outside the patient to detect disease, measure biomarkers or guide treatment decisions. They matter to investors because sales, regulatory approvals, reimbursement rules and adoption rates drive companies’ revenue and margins much like product launches and consumer demand in other industries; advances can create growth or disruption in healthcare markets.

hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn medical

"focusing on hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) – a serious but often"

An immune condition where a pregnant person’s antibodies cross the placenta and destroy the fetus’s red blood cells, causing anemia or jaundice in the baby; think of it as friendly fire where the mother’s defenses mistakenly attack the baby’s blood. It matters to investors because prevention, testing and treatments drive demand for diagnostics, drugs and procedures, and developments or approvals in this area can affect revenue, clinical trial outcomes and regulatory risk for healthcare companies.

alloimmunization medical

"condition driven by maternal alloimmunization. Hosted by Michelle Mullens, Global Product"

Alloimmunization is when a person’s immune system learns to attack foreign proteins from another human after exposure through transfusion, transplant, or pregnancy, much like a security system flagging an unfamiliar badge. For investors, it matters because this reaction can complicate treatments, increase medical costs, limit the usable supply of blood or organs, and affect the market and regulatory prospects for related drugs, devices, or therapies.

alloantibodies medical

"impact of awareness gaps: Many patients and providers are unfamiliar with alloantibodies,"

Alloantibodies are immune proteins that a person's body makes to target cells or proteins from another person, like those found in donated blood, transplanted organs, or donor-derived therapies. They matter to investors because these immune reactions can reduce the effectiveness or safety of blood products, transplants and cell- or gene-based treatments, leading to extra testing, treatment complications, regulatory delays and higher development or clinical costs. Think of alloantibodies as security guards who attack guests with unfamiliar ID badges.

antibody screening medical

"Why lab testing matters: Antibody screening and titers directly guide pregnancy management"

Antibody screening is a laboratory test that checks whether a person’s blood contains specific antibodies—proteins the immune system produces after infection, vaccination, or exposure to foreign blood. Investors watch antibody screening because results drive demand for diagnostic tests, affect safety and efficacy decisions in clinical trials, guide blood-transfusion practices, and signal market opportunities or risks for companies making tests, vaccines, or therapies; it’s like a health check that shows whether an immune response has occurred and what follow-up is needed.

titers medical

"Why lab testing matters: Antibody screening and titers directly guide pregnancy management"

A titer is a laboratory measure of how much of a specific biological substance—commonly antibodies or virus particles—is present in a sample, often found by diluting the sample until the effect disappears. For investors, titers signal how strongly a vaccine or therapy triggers an immune response or how much virus is present, which can affect clinical results, regulatory approval chances and market value much like a strength test determines the usefulness of a product.

prenatal care medical

"testing as the foundation of prenatal care decisions and the importance of acting"

Care given to a pregnant person before birth, including regular medical checkups, screenings, nutrition and education to monitor the pregnancy and reduce risks for mother and baby. Investors care because the quality, accessibility and cost of this care affect demand for medical services, products and insurance, influence health outcomes that drive future costs, and can shape regulatory, reputational and reimbursement risks — much like routine maintenance prevents costly breakdowns later.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

SAN DIEGO, May 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- QuidelOrtho Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL), a global leader of in vitro diagnostics, has released episode 58 of its Science Bytes podcast, focusing on hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) – a serious but often underrecognized condition driven by maternal alloimmunization.

Hosted by Michelle Mullens, Global Product Manager of Portfolio Solutions for Transfusion Medicine at QuidelOrtho, the episode features Bethany Weathersby, Founder and Executive Director of the Allo Hope Foundation. Together, they explore how red blood cell antibodies can impact pregnancy, why awareness and care gaps persist, and how timely diagnostics and coordinated care can dramatically improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

Key Insights:

• What is HDFN: How maternal alloimmunization leads to red blood cell antibody formation and fetal risk
• The impact of awareness gaps: Many patients and providers are unfamiliar with alloantibodies, leading to delayed understanding and care
• Why lab testing matters: Antibody screening and titers directly guide pregnancy management and risk assessment
• Inconsistencies in care: Outcomes can vary widely depending on provider knowledge, timing of testing and access to specialized care
• The patient perspective: Connecting diagnostic workflows to real-world outcomes highlights opportunities to improve care

HDFN occurs when a pregnant individual develops antibodies against fetal red blood cell antigens, leading to fetal anemia and other serious complications. While advances in screening and treatment have improved outcomes, the episode highlights ongoing inconsistencies in awareness, access to expertise and clinical management – even in well-resourced healthcare settings.

Through a powerful combination of clinical insight and lived experience, the conversation highlights the critical role of laboratory testing as the foundation of prenatal care decisions and the importance of acting quickly on results to prevent severe outcomes.

Listen to the latest episode of the QuidelOrtho Science Bytes podcast on major streaming platforms or at: https://www.quidelortho.com/global/en/resources/podcasts/quidelortho-science-bytes.

About QuidelOrtho Corporation
With expertise spanning clinical chemistry, immunoassay, immunohematology and molecular testing, QuidelOrtho Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL) is a leading global provider of diagnostic solutions, dedicated to advancing fast, accurate and reliable results that help improve patient outcomes – from the point of care to hospital, lab to clinic. Building on a legacy of innovation, QuidelOrtho works with healthcare providers to advance diagnostics that connect insights with solutions, defining a clearer path for informed decisions and better care.

About the Allo Hope Foundation
The Allo Hope Foundation (AHF) serves families and clinicians globally navigating red cell alloimmunization and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Led by patients with expertise in education, research, and clinical practice under the oversight of a Medical Advisory Board and Patient Advisory Board, AHF believes survival from HDFN should be an expectation and global reality. AHF manages daily patient counsel for thousands of families, facilitates specialty referrals, conducts and publishes disease research and clinical practice guidelines, and raises global awareness through provider education and public health initiatives. 

Source: QuidelOrtho Corporation

Investor Contact: 
Juliet Cunningham
Vice President, Investor Relations
IR@QuidelOrtho.com

Media Contact: 
Stephanie Kleewein
Senior Corporate Communication and PR Manager
Media@QuidelOrtho.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/when-blood-compatibility-becomes-a-pregnancy-risk-302778272.html

SOURCE QuidelOrtho Corporation

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What is the focus of QuidelOrtho's Science Bytes podcast episode 58 about HDFN (QDEL)?

Episode 58 of QuidelOrtho’s Science Bytes podcast focuses on hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). According to QuidelOrtho, it explains how maternal alloimmunization, red blood cell antibodies, and diagnostic testing affect pregnancy outcomes for mothers and babies.

How do red blood cell antibodies impact pregnancy in QuidelOrtho's HDFN podcast (QDEL)?

Red blood cell antibodies can put a fetus at risk by causing anemia and serious complications. According to QuidelOrtho, maternal alloimmunization and resulting antibodies require careful monitoring, antibody screening, and titers to guide pregnancy management and risk assessment.

Why does QuidelOrtho highlight awareness gaps about HDFN in its Science Bytes podcast (QDEL)?

QuidelOrtho highlights that many patients and providers are unfamiliar with alloantibodies and HDFN. According to QuidelOrtho, this lack of awareness can delay understanding, testing, and care, contributing to inconsistent outcomes even in well-resourced healthcare settings.

What role does lab testing play in managing HDFN according to QuidelOrtho's podcast (QDEL)?

Laboratory testing is presented as central to prenatal care decisions for HDFN. According to QuidelOrtho, antibody screening and titers directly guide pregnancy management, with acting quickly on results helping to prevent severe fetal anemia and other serious complications.

Where can investors and clinicians listen to QuidelOrtho's HDFN Science Bytes episode 58 (QDEL)?

The HDFN-focused episode 58 of QuidelOrtho’s Science Bytes podcast is available on major streaming platforms. According to QuidelOrtho, listeners can also access it via the company’s website at the provided Science Bytes podcast resource page link.