LumiraDx receives $14m in funding for point-of-care TB test

UK-based point-of-care diagnostics company LumiraDx has been given $14m in grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the ongoing development of their point-of-care molecular tuberculosis (TB) test system.

According to WHO’s 2022 Global Tuberculosis Report, the gap between TB infection and its diagnosis widened in 2020 and 2021, compared to 2019. LumiraDx says that its test is designed to bridge this gap by fulfilling requirements in the TB testing market and increasing access to testing. It’s developing the test to include a tongue swab sample, which makes the test inexpensive and easier to do.

LumiraDx is designing the molecular TB test for use with its LumiraDx multi-assay Platform, which will provide accurate results at a low price. The company states that its Platform is the only point-of-care instrument which supports both molecular and immunoassay technologies and runs various sample types.

As the LumiraDx Platform weighs only 1.1kg and has a rechargeable battery, it its portable and allows the TB test to be used in countries with limited access to laboratories. The company has already started preclinical studies of the TB molecular test in Africa.

LumiraDx CEO Ron Zwanziger said, “The advancement of our TB molecular test signifies an important step forward in LumiraDx’s mission to increase access to accurate and affordable testing worldwide as well as an important step forward in our molecular testing technology. The support from the Gates Foundation is critical in our development of the TB test and ensuring it reaches communities where access to testing is most challenged. The availability of these immediate results can be game-changing.”

James Spargo