Aptitude Medical Systems announced today its second major partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), with $9 million in funding to develop the Metrix Filovirus Panel. This rapid next-generation molecular diagnostic device aims to detect and differentiate Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus species. It is a small, portable platform, making it appropriate for use in remote and more traditional point-of-care settings, generating results in 30 minutes or less from venous or fingerstick blood samples.
This collaboration leverages Aptitude's next-generation molecular diagnostics platform, Metrix, which has been advanced through a prior BARDA partnership valued up to $61.9 million (contract number 75A50123C00013). The Metrix Filovirus Panel represents an innovative step forward in global health, leveraging the unique technology of the Metrix platform to deliver low-cost, lab-quality performance in decentralized, point-of-care settings.
With this funding, Aptitude will focus on the development, validation, and regulatory clearance of the Metrix Filovirus Panel. The device is built for broad accessibility, enabling deployment in decentralized settings where the need for early detection is paramount.
The Metrix Filovirus Panel aligns with Aptitude's mission to democratize access to molecular diagnostics, further extending the platform's capabilities beyond respiratory and sexually transmitted infections. By simplifying the diagnostic process and reducing costs, Aptitude empowers healthcare providers and public health systems to act swiftly, mitigating the impact of infectious diseases.
