Prioritizing scalable, point-of-care testing, five companies seek to produce the next major diagnostic advancement in TB

BALTIMORE, JULY 8, 2024 — Supporting, Mobilizing, and Accelerating Research for Tuberculosis Elimination (SMART4TB) is pleased to announce a collaboration with Sherlock Biosciences in developing their oral, swab-based point-of-care molecular test for TB. Sherlock joins the four companies, Boditech Med, Co-Diagnostics, Nuclein and Molbio Diagnostics, announced in January 2024 in receiving a first phase of SMART4TB funding and technical assistance to advance their novel tests with the hope of closing key TB diagnosis gaps. Among some of the traits that make Sherlock’s technology promising for TB diagnostics is ease of use, including the intended ability to self-collect the sample, and no need for extensive lab or storage infrastructure to complete the test. These features are especially important in reaching people in diverse, resource-limited healthcare settings where TB is often diagnosed.

Sherlock, and the previously announced developers, were selected by a panel of 11 TB and diagnostics experts from academic institutions and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Characteristics and data from this first phase will be evaluated by a similar group of experts, including affected community members, and those that meet key criteria will move into the next phase of funding to prepare for clinical assessment.

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The SMART4TB Consortium brings together experts in TB tools development, implementation science, capacity strengthening, civil society engagement and policy translation. Led by Johns Hopkins University, consortium members include University of California, San Francisco, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, and Treatment Action Group. SMART4TB is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this press release are the sole responsibility of SMART4TB and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States Government or consortium collaborators or members.