OraSure Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSUR) announced today that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has issued the Company an $8.6 million contract to develop a 2nd generation Ebola test on the OraQuick® testing platform. The goal is for the 2nd generation test to have improved sensitivity, increased shelf life, new chemistry and more automation when compared to the de novo U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized test. OraSure’s OraQuick® Ebola Rapid Antigen test is the only test today with a de novo authorization from the FDA and has been used extensively for Ebola cadaver testing in Africa with results available in 30 minutes.
OraSure’s current OraQuick® Ebola Rapid Antigen Test is de novo authorized for use with whole blood or cadaveric oral fluid. The test received de novo authorized from the FDA in 2019, making it the first and only rapid antigen test to receive authorization for the detection of Ebola virus.
This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under Contract No. 75A50122R00024.
