Atomo Diagnostics and Access Bio Inc. announce a strategic partnership to leverage the respective strengths of both innovative rapid diagnostic test (RDT) companies to expand point of care HIV testing in global markets. The partnership will see Atomo supply its award-winning AtomoRapid™ lateral flow diagnostic test platforms for use with Access Bio's in vitro HIV rapid test that detects the presence or absence of HIV antibodies in a single drop of blood obtained from a fingertip. The test result can be read in minutes, which is essential for same day diagnosis and early treatment and care.

The new test product will be commercialised by Access Bio in professional use markets under its CareStart™ brand in territories across Africa, South East Asia, South America and CIS countries. In September 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) forecast that demand for HIV rapid diagnostic tests in the territory will increase by one third, to reach more than 400 million tests per year by 2020. Dedicated to the prevention and early diagnosis of infectious diseases, Access Bio and its subsidiary, Wells Bio Inc., manufacture more than 120 million rapid diagnostic tests annually for the detection of a range of infectious diseases, including malaria, dengue and HIV.

The new partnership with Atomo Diagnostics will strengthen its rapid test portfolio and support continued growth.