Clinical trials

Robust evidence on the clinical diagnostic accuracy and operational characteristics of the Bioneer Accupower Q-RFIA PCR kit on IRON qPCR is required to comprehensively evaluate validity of the Bioneer RFIA assay to support both global and national policy decision-making. The rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment of M/XDR-TB is essential to prevent significant morbidity, mortality and further transmission of disease. The FQ are key components of the new bedaquiline-containing 6-9 month regimen, and so it is necessary to rule-out resistance to these compounds prior to treating patients with the shorter regimen. Currently there are no WHO endorsed test that can diagnose MTB and identify resistance to both first and second-line drugs in a single assay cartridge with integrated sample preparation.

This project supports the development of a non-invasive diagnostic tool for malaria, focusing on validating the link between VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and malaria infection using thermodynamic sensors. This technology aims to provide rapid, painless alternatives to blood-based diagnostics, enabling malaria detection without invasive sampling. Trace Sensing has already identified six potential VOC biomarkers based on published literature specific for malaria. Two of these are part of the company's existing library and can already be detected in purified form by the TRACE-E device, while the others are under active evaluation. To confirm the suitability of the selected VOC biomarkers for diagnosing malaria and strengthen the detection algorithm, high-quality, robust clinical data from well-characterized biological specimens are required. In partnership with Gondar University in Ethiopia, breath samples will be collected from individuals (12 years and older) suspected of having malaria presenting at two health clinics. PCR performed on blood samples will serve as reference method to confirm infection status, while non-invasive clinical breath tests will be performed using the TRACE-E device. The resulting data will confirm whether the six candidate malaria VOC biomarkers can be detected in patient breath, and if other VOC biomarkers can be detected as well. This study will therefore act as a malaria VOC biomarker confirmation study.

This prospective multicentre study is planned to evaluate the next generation LAM assays and molecular diagnostics (POC and near POC) among people with presumptive Tuberculosis. The DriveDx4TB study aims to generate evidence needed to accelerate the introduction of three new classes of TB diagnostics, complemented by alternative sampling for use at primary healthcare and community settings. To this end, the study will leverage the accelerated innovation spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the rapid development of swab-based sampling and molecular diagnostic (MDx) platforms.