CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA - DCN Dx, a global leader in the end-to-end development, manufacturing, and commercialization of point-of-use tests, and BIOASTER, the French Technology Research Institute focusing on microbiology and infectious diseases, announced a collaboration as part of a second grant to BIOASTER for onchocerciasis diagnosis from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Onchocerciasis, commonly referred to as river blindness, ranks as the second most prevalent cause of infectious blindness on a global scale. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, approximately 25 million individuals worldwide are currently infected, with an additional 90 million individuals at risk of contracting the disease. Notably, over 99% of these cases are concentrated in Africa, resulting in vision impairment for approximately 1.15 million individuals.

This initiative builds upon an initial grant awarded to BIOASTER in 2019. The primary objective is to enhance the specificity of the Ov16-rapid test, particularly with regard to its response to Loa loa and Mansonella perstans helminths, aiming to achieve a specificity level of 99.8% in accordance with the recommendations set forth by the WHO Diagnostic Technical Advisory Group (DTAG). The successful development of this test would significantly contribute to the eradication of onchocerciasis and the assessment of preventive chemotherapy programs.

In collaboration with the Laboratory of Parasitic Disease (NIAID) and DCN Dx, BIOASTER is committed to creating an advanced multiplex lateral flow assay designed to detect Onchocerca volvulus antibodies in human blood samples. This innovative diagnostic tool will incorporate a combination of novel and complementary O. volvulus antigens, with the careful selection and evaluation of these antigens being carried out at BIOASTER.

The diagnostic accuracy of this test will undergo rigorous evaluation using specimens from onchocerciasis cases and other parasitic helminths collected in the field. This evaluation will be conducted under the supervision of Professor Joseph KAMGNO at the Higher Institute of Scientific and Medical Research in Yaoundé (ISM), Cameroon (www.ismcm.org).

Xavier Morge (CEO, BIOASTER) noted, “We are proud that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has continued its support as we aim to improve onchocerciasis diagnosis in the coming years.”

“This new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a great example of BIOASTER's commitment to accelerate the development of a lateral flow test with high specificity for the diagnosis of onchocerciasis,” said Cyril GUYARD (CSO, BIOASTER).

Patrick Vaughan (COO, DCN Dx) expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are delighted to partner with BIOASTER's scientific team to transform their key O. volvulus antigen research into a user-friendly and highly specific lateral flow test to advance onchocerciasis diagnosis.”

“DCN Dx’s core purpose extends beyond the technicalities of diagnostics," Mitzi Rettinger (Chief Revenue Officer, DCN Dx) explained. "We're striving to make a real difference in global health, and our partnership with BIOASTER on this vital project exemplifies that mission. By accelerating the development of a cutting-edge multiplex rapid test for African river blindness, we're making a tangible contribution to a world with less suffering from this devastating disease."