Testing for anthrax could soon become a lot quicker, as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced it is in the midst of researching a point-of-care diagnostic test that could determine infection within 15 minutes.
The test determines whether a patient has been infected with the bacteria that causes anthrax, and all it needs to do so are a few drops of their blood in order to look for specific proteins. Experts have already noted its potential use in hospital emergency rooms, health clinics, and first responders.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) provided a three-year, $8.1 million contract to InBios International, Inc. through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the project. Under that contract, InBios can apply for licensure from the Food and Drug Administration and is required to perform studies to ready the product for submission in pre-Emergency Use Authorization.
“Inhalational anthrax is a deadly disease and a significant biological threat to our nation,” BARDA Director Rick Bright said. “To save lives during an anthrax emergency, health care providers must be able to screen patients rapidly to provide treatment as quickly as possible. That’s our goal in supporting development of point-of-care tests like this.”
To supplement this, BARDA has also announced that it is supporting three anthrax antitoxin drugs approved by the FDA, as well as the development of related vaccines.