HHS Advances Point-of-Care Diagnostic Test for Anthrax

A point-of-care diagnostic test that may be able to determine within 15 minutes whether a patient has been infected with the bacterium that causes anthrax is moving forward in research and development with the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).

A three-year, $8.1 million contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of ASPR, and InBios International, Inc. of Seattle, Washington, will allow for studies needed to apply for licensure from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The contract also requires the company to perform studies necessary to support its submission for pre-Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA.

“Inhalational anthrax is a deadly disease and a significant biological threat to our nation,” said BARDA director Rick Bright, PhD. “To save lives during an anthrax emergency, health care providers must be able to screen patients rapidly to provide treatment as quickly as possible. That’s our goal in supporting development of point-of-care tests like this.” 

InBios’ test, a lateral flow immunoassay, determines whether a patient has been infected with anthrax-causing Bacillus anthracis bacteria by identifying specific proteins from the bacteria in a few drops of a person’s blood. In studies to date, the test has identified the bacterial proteins within about 15 minutes.

The test has the potential for use in hospital emergency rooms, local health clinics, and at a patient’s bedside. It also could be used by first responders.

Protecting health after anthrax exposure requires not only detecting but also preventing and treating anthrax infections. To meet this national health security need, BARDA’s portfolio includes supporting three anthrax antitoxin drugs approved by the FDA. BARDA also supports advanced development of vaccines to prevent illness after exposure to anthrax and improvements to the only anthrax vaccine licensed for use post-exposure so that fewer doses are needed to protect human health.

Source: HHS