Trump administration signs $12.7M contract for rapid COVID-19 tests from InBios International

The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Defense (DoD) awarded a $12.7 million contract to expand production capacity for two rapid COVID-19 point-of-care tests with InBios International Inc. last week.

This will allow InBios to expand the number of tests it produces by 20 times its current capacity by May 2021 — around 400,000 units per week. These tests include the SCoV-2 Ag Detect Kit, and the SCoV-2 Detect IgM/IgG Kit. The Ag Detect Kit detects current infections by identifying the virus’s genetic material on nose swab samples. The second test identifies past infections by detecting antibodies in a finger prick of blood.

This major domestic expansion builds on a past relationship between Biomedical Advanced Research and Developmental Authority (BARDA) and InBios. BARDA supported the development of the IgM/IgG Kit. For this latest effort, BARDA is again at the helm, in collaboration with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Department of Defense Assisted Acquisition Cell, and the Department of the Air Force’s Acquisition COVID-19 Task Force.

All funding for the expansion comes from the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.