OraSure Technologies has been awarded federal funding for the development of a Marburg virus disease (MVD) rapid antigen test.
The funding comes through the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle, a consortium funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which is part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The initial contract award is valued at approximately $7.5 million over multiple years in the base period, with a potential value of up to $11 million, OraSure said in a statement.
MVD, formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a severe illness in humans, according to the World Health Organization; the average MVD case fatality rate in outbreaks is around 50%. While there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for MVD, vaccines and drug therapies are under development.
The BARDA funds will be used to develop a single-use lateral flow immunoassay for the qualitative detection of antigens from viruses within the Marburg virus genus, with the aim of achieving U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for the test.
OraSure said that the proposed test will be intended for use with specimens from individuals with epidemiological risk factors who have signs or symptoms of MVD, or from recently deceased individuals with epidemiological risk factors who are suspected to have died of MVD.
OraSure previously worked with BARDA on the development of the InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test; the company also maintains an ongoing partnership with BARDA on its 510(k)-cleared point-of-care OraQuick Ebola Rapid Antigen Test. This OraSure project is being funded in whole or in part with federal funds from BARDA under Other Transaction Number 75A50123D00005.
