HHS funds further development of two rapid, point-of-care influenza tests

Alere Inc. and InDevR Inc. have each entered into a contract with the US Department of Health and Human Services to further development on two influenza virus tests, according to a press release.

Alere Inc. will receive $12.9 million under a 3.5-year contract to further develop iNAT, a rapid, inexpensive molecular test that could indicate whether a patient has seasonal influenza A or B virus within 15 minutes. The company is responsible for conducting clinical trials to support FDA 510(K) clearance and a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments waiver for iNAT.

Under a 2-year contract, InDevR Inc. will receive $7.9 million to advance development of its FluChip-8G test, a biochip test that identifies seasonal and novel influenza viruses within 4 hours in near-patient settings. The company has the option to extend the contract for up to $14.7 million over 4 years.

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), within the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, will oversee development of both tests.

“Administering fast and inexpensive tests at the point of care has tangible benefits to personal and public health, particularly in helping doctors prescribe the right therapy immediately. Prescribing medication or other therapies in a more targeted way is good stewardship and will be critical to reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance,” Robin Robinson, PhD, director of BARDA, said in a press release.