Switzerland-based FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics, has announced an investment of $21 million to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and launch of affordable, multi-pathogen, molecular diagnostic platforms, specifically for use in decentralized settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Following an open call for partners and a competitive selection process, four companies with promising new platforms have been selected for investment: Biomeme, Inc (USA), Bioneer Corporation (Republic of Korea), Qlife Holding AB (Sweden) and SD Biosensor, Inc (Republic of Korea).

The investment is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) through KfW and other donors, by way of grants to FIND.

It will support the companies for a period of 12 months to develop assays for the differential diagnosis of COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens (such as influenza) and to optimize their systems to meet the needs of LMICs, in addition to the requirements for authorization under the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use listing (EUL) and/or prequalification process (PQ).

The funds will also support the companies’ manufacturing processes, to enable price reductions and increased volumes, and support regulatory submissions.

The companies are aiming to complete product development of the multi-respiratory pathogen tests by late 2022 with a view to commercial launch of the products in 2023.