Last spring, a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19—developed by Northwestern University spinoff company Minute Molecular Diagnostics—received emergency use authorization (EUA) status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Now, the team behind this revolutionary test is adapting its platform to detect monkeypox/MPXV, according to a press release from the university.
Northwestern and Minute Molecular are collaborating to develop the swab-based test. Infectious disease specialists at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine will then lead clinical testing.
“The simplicity of the DASH test adds an important new tool to combat the monkeypox emergency,” said Northwestern’s Sally McFall, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Minute Molecular. “DASH enables non-laboratory personnel to insert a swab specimen into the test cartridge and load the cartridge into the analyzer. Then an accurate result is provided in 15 minutes.”
When current patients are tested for monkeypox, physicians must send samples to a central laboratory facility. The samples are run in large batches—which can take several hours to provide results. By delivering fast results, DASH could theoretically enable monkeypox testing at sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics, immediate care clinics, emergency rooms and physicians’ offices.