Access Bio and Atomo Diagnostics have signed a strategic partnership to leverage the respective strengths of both innovative rapid diagnostic test (RDT) companies to expand point of care HIV testing in global markets, Access Bio said Tuesday.

Under the agreement, Access Bio plans to launch a next-generation HIV diagnostic product by combining Atomo's AtomoRapid all-in-one device with Access Bio’s HIV diagnostic strip.

The product can detect HIV infection with a simple finger blood sample in a matter of minutes. The companies expect it will become essential for on-site diagnosis while enhancing patients’ convenience with their all-in-one device for early treatment and management.

After development, Access Bio plans to commercialize the device in professional use markets under its CareStart brand in territories across Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and CIS countries.

“Access Bio is delighted to announce its new strategic partnership with Atomo Diagnostics which will add to and enhance the company’s existing rapid test range,” Access Bio CEO Choi Young-ho said. “Atomo’s all-in-one test devices, which simplify and standardize test procedures, will help the company improve the performance and user-friendliness of its HIV test for customers.”

Access Bio’s HIV test strips combined with Atomo’s test devices will also offer an innovative solution to support the HIV 90-90-90 campaign by UNAIDS, Choi said.

The alliance with Atomo is highly compatible with the company’s established business channels, and the company is actively exploring other areas of collaboration to strengthen our portfolio in the mid-to-long term, he added.

Atomo Diagnostics also showed enthusiasm for the cooperative agreement.

“We are excited about this commercial partnership with Access Bio, a recognized market leader in rapid diagnostic testing,” Atomo Diagnostics CEO John Kelly said. “The company’s AtomoRapi platforms will provide their excellent usability and performance for a range of applications internationally, and this new partnership adds significantly to our long-term growth plans.”

Moreover, it demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to tackling HIV by enabling greater access to best-in-class diagnostics in areas hardest hit by the disease, Kelly added.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of HIV diagnosis is expected to increase to about 400 million tests by 2020. In 2016, the number of HIV-infected people worldwide was close to 37 million, while the number of new infections is reported at 1.8 million.

Although HIV transmission is controllable through antiretroviral (ARV) prescriptions, there is currently no cure, Access Bio said. Therefore, it is essential for early diagnosis to identify HIV infection and end the spread of AIDS, it added .

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