The HHS awarded OraSure Technologies a contract for up to $16.6 million to advance its rapid Zika tests. The six-year contract includes initial funding of $7 million and options to add $9.6 million to fund additional clinical and regulatory activities.
The company's rapid Zika tests utilize its proprietary OraQuick technology platform. The same platform has been used in OraSure's rapid HIV, HCV and Ebola test kits. There are molecular Zika tests available, however, there is a short window of time in which the Zika infection can be detected before antibodies appear.
In 2015, the company developed the OraQuick rapid Ebola antigen test through a $1.8 million contract with HHS. The test could provide results within 20 minutes.
The HHS' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority is administering the grant.