The partnership will see Atomo supply its award-winning AtomoRapid™ lateral flow diagnostic test platforms for use with Access Bio’s in vitro HIV rapid test that detects the presence or absence of HIV antibodies in a single drop of blood obtained from a fingertip. The test result can be read in minutes, which is essential for same day diagnosis and early treatment and care.
The new test product will be commercialised by Access Bio in professional use markets under its CareStart™ brand in territories across Africa, South East Asia, South America and CIS countries. In September 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) forecast that demand for HIV rapid diagnostic tests in the territory will increase by one third, to reach more than 400 million tests per year by 2020.
Dedicated to the prevention and early diagnosis of infectious diseases, Access Bio and its subsidiary, Wells Bio Inc., manufacture more than 120 million rapid diagnostic tests annually for the detection of a range of infectious diseases, including malaria, dengue and HIV. The new partnership with Atomo Diagnostics will strengthen its rapid test portfolio and support continued growth.
“Access Bio is delighted to announce our new strategic partnership with Atomo Diagnostics which will add to and enhance our existing rapid test range,” said Young Ho Choi, CEO and Founder of Access Bio. “Atomo’s all-in-one test devices, which simplify and standardize test procedures, will help us improve the performance and user-friendliness of our HIV test for our customers. Access Bio’s HIV test strips combined with Atomo’s test devices will also offer an innovative solution to support the HIV 90-90-90 campaign. This alliance with Atomo is highly compatible with our established business channels, and we are actively exploring other areas of collaboration to strengthen our portfolio in the mid-to-long term.”
Founder and CEO of Atomo Diagnostics, John Kelly, adds, “We are excited about this commercial partnership with Access Bio, a recognised market leader in rapid diagnostic testing. Our AtomoRapid™ platforms are proving their excellent usability and performance for a range of applications internationally, and this new partnership adds significantly to our long-term growth plans. Moreover, it demonstrates our continued commitment to tackling HIV by enabling greater access to best-in-class diagnostics in areas hardest hit by the disease.”
WHO estimates that in 2016 there were approximately 36.7 million people living with HIV around the world, with a further 1.8 million people being newly infected. Screening and prompt diagnosis have a critical role to play in ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Although there is no cure for HIV infection, effective antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can control the virus and help prevent transmission so that people with HIV, and those at substantial risk, can enjoy healthy, long and productive lives.
About Atomo
Atomo Diagnostics is a world leader in medical device design and development, based in Sydney, Australia, with corporate offices in the UK and South Africa. The company specialises in pioneering rapid diagnostic test (RDT) solutions for use with capillary blood samples. The recipient of multiple international awards for innovation, Atomo’s all-in-one AtomoRapid™ handheld device platforms put the end user first and make it easy to test and screen for a range of infectious diseases and chronic conditions. Unlike standard, multi-component rapid test kits, AtomoRapid™ platforms integrate features and functionality, incorporating a sterile safety lancet, calibrated blood collection system, and unique buffer delivery mechanism.
About Access Bio
Access Bio (KOSDAQ: 950130) is dedicated to the prevention and early diagnosis of infectious diseases through research, development, and manufacturing of in vitro rapid diagnostic tests, biosensors and molecular diagnostic products. The company’s in vitro diagnostic test platform includes immunochemical, biochemical and molecular products.
Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, Access Bio serves its global customer base from manufacturing sites located in the U.S., Ethiopia, and South Korea. In 2016, the company reported $28.0 million of revenues, largely from sales of its industry-leading malaria RDT products. The company has commercially launched a number of additional diagnostic tests that leverage its industry-leading expertise and manufacturing capacity.