Cue Health Inc. https://www.cuehealth.com was awarded $13 Million by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), within the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) office at HHS. The goal is to accelerate the development, validation, and FDA clearance for a portable molecular diagnostic test capable of detecting SARS COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The test needs to be done using a simple nasal swab with the results available in less than 25 minutes and able to provide regular screening. Eventually the testing could be done at home or in the community.
This test is part of Cue’s Health Monitoring System designed to be a portable device that can perform a molecular test capable of connecting patients via a mobile health platform. This platform features interventional components such as the ability to do telemedicine consultations.
The Health Monitoring System uses a portable reader system to test clinical samples in a disposable test cartridge and then sends results to a connected mobile application. The Cue Influenza test cartridge is presently undergoing clinical validation
According to Ayub Khattak, CEO, Cue Health Inc. “We have worked with the BARDA team for the past two years developing and testing a 20 minute molecular influenza test designed for home and Point-of-Care use.”
BARDA Director Rick Bright, PhD, “Tests that can be used to provide faster results to more people and public-private partnerships are essential in provide solutions to curb the spread of COVID-19 and also to mitigate future coronavirus outbreaks.”
BARDA invests in innovation, advanced research and development, acquisition, and manufacturing of vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products needed to combat health security threats. To date, 54 BARDA-supported products have achieved regulatory approval, licensure or clearance.
Go to https://phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx for more information on BARDA.