Cepheid and FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics) have entered into a partnership to accelerate the development of a rapid molecular test for the measurement of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load.
The Xpert HIV viral load test will run on Cepheid’s GeneXpert platform is expected to complement the Xpert MTB/RIF test for tuberculosis and drug-resistance, which was a result of collaboration between Cepheid, FIND and other partners.
Under the agreement, FIND will grant $5m in development costs for the Xpert HIV test.
Once commercially available, FIND will obtain rights allowing Cepheid’s Xpert HIV viral load test and the Xpert Chlamydia and Gonorrhea test to be sold at reduced prices to the public and not-for-profit sector in several developing countries.
Cepheid chief executive officer John Bishop said the company is proud to continue its contribution to the global effort against TB and extend that contribution into HIV.