Innovative new malaria tool could save lives
A new research grant could help pave the way towards the eradication of malaria
Day after day, the headlines are full of news on malaria, and in recent times, the outlook has been looking more positive, with research breakthroughs that may one day make the disease a thing of the past.
In further positive malaria news, a new research grant will help bring a diagnostic kit to life. A cool £1 million has been awarded by Japan’s Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund to facilitate the production, testing and validation trials of the world’s first ever saliva-based rapid diagnostic test (RDT).
The RDT uses technology that was developed out of research conducted by Professor Rhoel Dinglasan at the University of Florida in the US, and the new funding will enable the commercialisation process of the RDT to be completed. This will be done by South Africa-based medical technology startup Erada Technology Alliance.
Rapid diagnostic tests are crucial in curtailing malaria
So, what is this RDT, we hear you ask. Well, it’s an easy-to-use tool that incorporates a device for the collection of saliva. Designed in such a way that it can be easily used by healthcare professionals, teachers and parents, it eliminates the use of more invasive and less simple blood tests, as well as the need for skin-prick tests, which can be stressful for children and their parents. The new diagnostic will be marketed on a global scale under the brand name SALVA.
The tool detects a novel biomarker for Plasmodium falciparum parasites (which causes malaria in humans) in saliva. Certain existing tests are unable to do this as in some areas of the world the parasites have acquired a mutation that means they cannot be detected. This new test, though, detects an essential protein the parasite needs for survival.
Catherine K. Ohura, CEO of GHIT, said: “Through this investment, we are thrilled to have extended our portfolio in our quest to use technology to save lives across the globe. We have now invested more than 17 billion Yen to causes that will help prevent the deaths of millions of children and adults. Rapid diagnostic tests are crucial in curtailing malaria, the reason why we decided to invest in this innovative project and partnership led by the University of Florida.”
With the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group on malaria eradication calling for more innovative tools to overcome the existing suite of diagnostic tests, the new RDT has come at an excellent time. We at ITIJ are positively buzzing (get it?) about this news and are holding out for further updates.