Atomo's Blood Test Unveiled at 2014 AACC; Takes Top Award in NY

The AtomoRapid all-in-one blood test can accommodate test strips for a wide variety of conditions from celiac disease and allergy through to infectious diseases such as malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The device delivers better clinical outcomes for patients and health care providers by enabling simpler, safer, and more accurate testing in the field or at home.

At AIDS 2014, Atomo Diagnostics participated in a conference session organized by the World Health Organization (WHO; Basel, Switzerland). The session focused on opportunities and challenges facing self-testing and a debate about real world situations. The AtomoRapid all-in-one blood test, which is half the size of an iPhone, has been deployed in South Africa for HIV and malaria testing, and clinical activities are in process in the EU and in planning in Asia and the USA.

Former ResMed executive and Atomo Diagnostics’ founder and CEO John Kelly MSc, BEng, comments: ”We have started with HIV and malaria because that was where false negatives and false positives from other existing ‘bits in a box’ products, which were sometimes greater than 10% when used in the field, were having the most significant impact on individuals.”

AtomoRapid HIV could play a significant role in supporting the Australian Government’s initiative to lift restrictions on home HIV testing. Around 30% of Australians with HIV are diagnosed well after they should have started treatment to restore their damaged immune system, according to the latest Annual HIV Surveillance report from the UNSW’s Kirby Institute (Sydney, Australia) Annual Symposium.

John Kelly adds, "We have seen from our work with the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation in South Africa that if you want to be accepted as an at-home test you need an integrated intuitive solution that reduces test errors." Kelly was inspired to find a better way to test blood when his daughter developed a childhood disease requiring regular blood draws for diagnostic tests.

Given its ease of use and simplicity, AtomoRapid has the ability to materially improve both the uptake and reliability of testing in the community and at home. The company is currently implementing its plans to launch the product in Australia, the US, and Europe for both professional and at home use.

Over 100 million rapid HIV tests are bought each year globally, and Atomo Diagnostics is leading the transition to more user friendly all-in-one solution with its AtomoRapid innovation.

AtomoRapid took the top international medical technology award last month in New York at the Medical Design Excellence Awards and has been given a number of other important honors.

Related Links:
Atomo Diagnostics
World Health Organization
Kirby Institute