Satio Gains BARDA Funding for Patch-Based Ebola Diagnostic

Satio has been awarded a contract by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop a novel, single-use, rapid ebola virus diagnostic.
 
The diagnostic will combine Satio’s patch-based blood collection device with Institut Pasteur de Dakar’s sensitive, rapid immunoassay for ebola in one device. The test can be easily deployed in remote settings to quickly identify and treat infected people. The tech’s offboard blood sample manipulation, according to the company, will limit exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
 
The company is building a suite of patch-based platforms, including SatioDot for dried blood spots and SatioDraw for whole blood collection. The platforms use a lancet to collect blood from the upper arm into the patch. The BARDA Division of Research, Innovation and Ventures (DRIVe) funding aims to help Satio accelerate development of an integrated blood draw and diagnostic platform, which could be expanded to spot other blood-borne pathogens like HIV and syphilis.
 
Satio also said it will partner with Sapphiros, using the company’s “extreme volume” manufacturing process to make the diagnostic platform tech low-cost and accessible to LMICs.
 
Namal Nawana, executive chairman and founder of Satio told the press, “Satio’s patch-based blood draw, diagnostic, and drug delivery platforms are designed to transform workflow in healthcare. This partnership between BARDA DRIVe, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Sapphiros, and Satio allows us to develop low-cost, high-performance diagnostics to respond rapidly to biosecurity threats, such as ebolavirus.”