The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is taking forward steps in the battle against Anthrax–notably by putting up $3,199,221 in funds to Tangen BioSciences for development of a new, low-cost diagnostic.
That money was doled out back in September, establishing a contract between the two organizations that could advance response efforts through a rapid, field-deployable diagnostic system. It has the potential to help medical responders more effectively assist those in need during a crisis scenario. According to developers, the system could determine infection in as little as 15 minutes.
That system is being called the TangenDx Molecular Diagnostic System. However, while the funds for it have been put out there, it still requires approval by the Food and Drug Administration before it could go live. Still, the potential is notable–shaving whole hours off diagnosis times, with a single testable to be undertaken from blood, sputum, and other specimen samples.
As much promise as this diagnostic yields, it is not the only anthrax-related development BARDA is supporting. It also supports the development of vaccines to prevent illness caused by anthrax exposure and improvements to the only licensed anthrax vaccine intended for use after exposure.