A recent Newsday article discussed the development of a new rapid test for hepatitis C. The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), a Swiss-based not-for-profit, tapped three companies to create a test and demonstrate their feasibility by the end of 2018. FIND will then select one of the three companies to receive additional funding for further development and clinical trials.
Chembio is no stranger to the rapid test market; they currently manufacture point-of-care tests for HIV, syphilis, malaria, Ebola as well as other infectious diseases. Hepatitis C affects more than 7 million people worldwide, and causes roughly 400,000 deaths each year, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. News of the partnership came just one day after New York State launched a plan to eradicate the virus within the state with an additional $5 million in funding.
