Scout receives funding from CARB-X for low-cost care and home diagnostics for gonorrhea and chlamydia

• Scout receives up to $1 million from CARB-X to develop a new point-of-care test for STIs, offering quick, inexpensive, and accurate results.
• The test, called STI Scout, will detect and differentiate between Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, with a 30-minute turnaround time and anticipated low cost.
• STI Scout will utilize Scout’s patented Loop-de-Loop chemistry, and future tests will guide therapy for gonorrhea treatment based on antibiotic susceptibility, aiming to expand access to STI testing globally.

Boston, April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Scout, a diagnostics and health tech company, has received up to US$1 million in funding from the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X). The funding is aimed at demonstrating proof-of-concept and feasibility for the development of a new point-of-care test named “STI Scout,” which will detect and differentiate between Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) and Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). The test is designed to be quick, inexpensive, and highly accurate, with a turnaround time of 30 minutes and costs anticipated to be less than half of other available options.

The Need for Improved STI Testing

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are among the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally, with serious health consequences if left untreated. Gonorrhea, in particular, is the second most reported bacterial STI, infecting approximately 82 million people worldwide in 2020. However, many cases go unreported as patients may not exhibit symptoms.

STI Scout addresses the need for affordable, accurate, and easy-to-use STI testing. The test can use either first void urine or vaginal swabs and will guide therapy for gonorrhea treatment based on antibiotic susceptibility. The Scout Hub runs the test, and the Scout Connect mobile app provides instructions, tracks results, and will eventually allow patients to connect digitally to healthcare providers.

Scout’s patented Loop-de-Loop chemistry, a proven isothermal technology validated for highly accurate SARS-CoV-2 detection, forms the basis of STI Scout. The system has received FDA Emergency Use Authorization for point-of-care settings and is pending authorization for over-the-counter (OTC) use. The CARB-X funding will enable Scout to expand its test menu, offering simple and efficient point-of-care testing at STI clinics and urgent care centers, with the potential for at-home testing in the future.

Decentralizing STI testing could greatly benefit patients, especially in resource-limited settings, by providing fast, accurate, and affordable tests with same-day results. Scout’s low-cost design and simple interface could enable its test to be used globally, expanding access to Neisseria gonorrhoeae testing to the lowest levels of the healthcare system.

Scout’s diagnostic is the second diagnostic and ninth project to receive a CARB-X award as part of the 2022-2023 funding call. With further development, the Scout system could also be used for at-home testing, providing a valuable tool for patient populations that require routine testing.

Scout’s receipt of funding from CARB-X highlights the urgent need for improved STI testing solutions. STI Scout has the potential to revolutionize STI testing, providing affordable, accurate, and convenient testing options for healthcare providers and patients worldwide.

Tags: Sexually transmitted infection, Gonorrhoea, Point-of-care testing, Chlamydia, treatment for gonorrhea, chlamydia definition, is chlamydia a virus or bacteria, is chlamydia a std

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