Funding Enables Diassess to Accelerate Development of Consumer-Focused Flu Diagnostic Technology
EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Diassess Inc., a next generation infectious disease testing company, was awarded a contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services. The contract establishes a partnership to advance development of its breakthrough flu diagnostic technology for use in physician offices and eventually in consumers’ homes. The period of performance is for up to five-years, with Government cost-share funding up to $21.9 million if all options are exercised.
“Radical change is taking place in the delivery of healthcare services as they become increasingly more accessible and personalized,” said John Waldeisen, CEO and Co-founder of Diassess. “The BARDA partnership keeps Diassess on the crest of the wave transforming the entire consumer healthcare experience.”
The BARDA contract accelerates Diassess’ development of the professional-use, in-clinic flu diagnostic test and sustains development of the in-home, consumer-focused flu diagnostic test, the latter of which includes the creation of a unique smartphone-based app that will connect consumers to treatment options. The funding allows Diassess to take both tests through clinical trials and submit to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clearance.
Diassess’ flu diagnostic technologies give physicians and consumers an accurate diagnosis within 20 minutes. Beginning with a nasal swab, the sample is inserted into a disposable DNA test. The battery-powered device quickly analyzes the sample and a visual readout indicates either influenza A, B or negative diagnosis. The in-home version will use a smartphone app to directly connect the consumer to treatment options.
“Time and cost are two formidable barriers discouraging consumers from seeking care which ultimately leads to a longer, more severe illness and additional time away from work,” said Debkishore Mitra, CTO and Co-founder of Diassess. “Our flu diagnostic technologies address both barriers head-on requiring less than 20 minutes to confirm diagnosis either in the doctor’s office or at home for a reasonable price.”
Diassess plans to launch its in-clinic diagnostic tool in 2020, and make the over-the-counter in-home version available the following year. Founded in 2013, Diassess also is applying its expertise to develop rapid DNA-based diagnostic tools for infectious diseases such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Dengue and Zika, and other respiratory illnesses.
About Diassess Inc.
Diassess Inc. is revolutionizing the way infectious diseases are prevented, diagnosed, and monitored by developing the tools necessary to empower people to become knowledgeable about their health. The company produces inexpensive, disposable health diagnostic hardware that transforms any smartphone into a portable, real-time health-monitoring device for rapid, accessible, multiplexed analysis of bodily fluids anywhere in the world. Visit www.diassess.com for more information.
About HHS, ASPR and BARDA
HHS works to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans, providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. The mission of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is to save lives and protect Americans from 21st century health security threats. Within ASPR, BARDA invests in the advanced research and development, acquisition, and manufacturing of medical countermeasures – vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products needed to combat health security threats.
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