- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority (BARDA) exercises its option to provide $7.2M in additional funding to OraSure Technologies (NASDAQ:OSUR +2.3%) to support the development of its OraQuick Ebola Rapid Antigen Test. The money will be used primarily to fund clinical and regulatory activities leading up to 510(k) clearance of the product. The option is part of the $10.4M contract that was announced in June.
- Separately, the HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will purchase ~$1.5M of OraQuick Ebola for field testing in West Africa. The order should be fulfilled by the end of the year.
- OraQuick Ebola Rapid Antigen Test is designed to detect viral antigens in fingerstick and whole blood samples from patients exhibiting symptoms of Ebola infection. Positive results have been observed in as little as four minutes. Negative results must be read at 30 minutes. The test can be used at ambient temperatures and does not require instrumentation.