Atlas Genetics, the Trowbridge-based diagnostic company developing ultra-rapid point-of-care (POC) tests for a range of infectious diseases, is to collaborate with the Health Protection Agency to assess the potential benefits of using its system to detect chlamydia.
Atlas will help develop a user-friendly tool to model the costs, benefits and uncertainties of POC testing compared with the current practice of sending samples to laboratories for diagnosis.
The tool will help key stakeholders make informed decisions on introducing POC testing for the sexually transmitted infection (STI).
The two-year study has been funded through a £434,000 grant by the Technology Strategy Board. A group of inter-disciplinary experts including academic, industry and US partners, are involved in the project.
Some 448m new infections of curable STI occur every year. In England, new STI diagnoses increased by 2% between 2010 and 2011, while in the US new chlamydia diagnoses grew 5% between 2009 and 2010.
STIs are the main preventable cause of infertility and of these chlamydia is the most common. POC testing offers potential advantages to the individual, including more rapid diagnosis combined with immediate treatment and sexual health advice, which may eliminate the need for a return visit and potentially save clinicians time and money. The benefit to the wider population could include a decrease of onward transmission and new infections.
Atlas was established in 2005 and is financed by venture capital, corporate and private investors including Novartis Venture Funds, J&J Development Corporation, Life Science Partners (LSP), BB Biotech Ventures, YFM Equity Partners and Consort Medical plc. The company raised £16.9m in a second round of funding last year.
