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INNOVATION ACCESSIBLE TO YOU AND THE WORLD
INNOVATION IS INTEGRAL INTO GADx's DNA
Innovation drives everything we do to develop effective solutions for contract research clients as well as solve some of the hardest diagnostic challenges in global health.
Partnering with Global Access Diagnostics (GADx) gives you access to our world-leading scientific team and our Center for Advanced Rapid Diagnostics (CARD). CARD is a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded innovation center, designed to advance lateral flow technology to tackle urgent global health needs. We’ve pushed the limits of readerless detection of protein antigenic targets below 1pg/ml. This was made possible by deconstructing the lateral flow assay format, identifying each of the key effectors that drive performance and harnessing them to attain unprecedented sensitivity. Novel strategies for the generation, screening and rapid selection of high-performing antibodies, guided by a rigorous analysis of affinity, epitope specificity and binding kinetics enabled the very best reagent pairs to be integrated into the assay platform. In addition, the engineering of superior assay choreography by tuning the flow dynamics of reagents, nanoparticles and target to mix within a shorter reaction time and interact efficiently was a key driver of sensitivity.
Innovation in nanoparticle technologies, perfecting the combination of particle size and optical properties while refining their performance with the right combination of reagent sensitization and a protective layer to control non-specific binding led to visually read signals at remarkable femtomolar quantities of analyte. The outcome of these innovations was a demonstration of 1000-fold improvement on previous technology – all achievable without the need for a specialized medical facility.
We continue to pioneer work on the future of lateral flow tests, supporting a vision of connected diagnostics that are accessible for those who need them most.
ELECTRO CHEMICAL TESTS
These replace the traditional mechanism at the heart of lateral flow, replacing a visually read test and control line, with an electro-chemical reaction that transforms the test line into a high sensitivity transducer and amplifier. We are developing a low-cost technology platform with an on-board printed battery that is suited to low-resource settings and will prioritize development of specific test applications in response to health needs in LMICs. Electro-chemical tests will be much easier to digitize, with robust data reducing errors in interpretation of tests, as well as enabling integration of test results with treatment pathways, populating both health management information systems and disease surveillance systems automatically.
MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS ON A STRIP
Recent advances in isothermal amplification have brought us closer to developing a robust rapid molecular test that offers the convenience and lower cost of lateral flow based RDTs with the accuracy of PCR tests. Our current prototype devices, based upon nucleic acid detection provide a proof-of-concept of an assay integrating sample preparation and multiplexed detection on a lateral flow, with microfluidic actuation in the cartridge to bring reagents and sample into contact.
INTEGRATION OF THESE NEW PLATFORMS WITH NOVEL MATERIAL AND PROCESSES
These include printed power, printed batteries heating and communications in such a way that they can be manufactured at scale, for example using roll to roll printing technologies that we are already developing for traditional lateral flow tests. This could significantly reduce the price of tests, further increasing their accessibility to low- and middle-income countries.
We are a leader in R&D. Founded by one of the creators of the Clearblue pregnancy test in 2003, we have participated in over 150 research projects with partners from 12 countries. Our 42 scientists are at the forefront of human, animal and agriculture diagnostics. Contact us to find out how you can benefit from this wealth of innovative and scientific talent.
INCREASING ACCESS TO INNOVATION
Global Access Diagnostics is committed to ensuring our innovations and tools get to those who need it most. This commitment is underpinned by our status as a social enterprise, which allows us to provide access to life saving tools using Cost of Goods-plus models, as opposed to value based pricing. We always prioritize impact and access above profit. Find out more: globalaccesshealth.org
We are proud to launch an open access reagents library, CollAb Hub (coming soon:collabhub.org), designed to facilitate use of our antibodies to advance research and development into neglected issues and by researchers based in low- and middle-income countries. If you would like to add your reagents to this library or get involved, please get in touch.
TELL US WHAT YOU NEED
Get in touch to find out how we can help meet your rapid, point-of-care diagnostics needs.
