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UNICEF launches Request for Proposal for point-of-care Zika test

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UNICEF has introduced a Request for Proposal for a sustained supply of Zika virus point-of-care diagnostics during 2017 through 2019, according to a press release.

Currently, there are no point-of-care assays available for Zika virus. UNICEF reported that routine testing methods require highly skilled technicians to perform reverse transcriptase PCR on serum samples and the detection of immunoglobulin (IgM) antibodies with an IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a well-equipped laboratory. Using these methods, it takes technicians about 1 week to confirm a diagnosis, and cross-reaction with related flaviviruses such as dengue and yellow fever represent a major challenge. The goal of the recent Request for Proposal (RFP) is to ensure access to simple and quality-assured Zika testing by supporting the rapid development of new devices.

According to the release, a $10 million investment from the U.S. Agency for International Development will allow UNICEF to create an Advance Purchase Commitment (APC), which aims to reduce demand uncertainty among manufacturers investing in the research and development of new products. An RFP was issued last month to encourage suppliers to respond to the APC.

“Through this $10 million advance purchase commitment, we will be able to make commitments to suppliers guaranteeing purchasing of diagnostic devices that meets target performance characteristics, even before those products are commercially available,” Shanelle Hall, director of UNICEF’s supply division, said in the release. “This will help further motivate companies to accelerate appropriate product development and scale-up of manufacturing capacity to meet this emerging need, while also offering the product at an affordable price.”  

The deadline for the RFP is March 7, the release said.

Disclosure: Infectious Disease News was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.