A Canadian IVD company has received a $4.2-million contract from the U.S. Army to develop a rapid test for simultaneous detection of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. MedMira Inc. of Halifax, Nova Scotia, says the contract is for its Multiplo Rapid HBV/HIV/HCV antibody test. The competitively bid award covers two years and carries a 10-month option, MedMira says. The test will be used to screen emergency patients for transfusion-transmitted diseases. MedMira says the military could also use the test for pre- and post-deployment screenings as well as disaster relief efforts.

The terms of the contract call for the U.S. Army to pay the PMA development costs for the test, which will be designed to detect the three diseases within three minutes using a small drop of blood, according to MedMira. After the test has received FDA approval the company will supply it directly to the Army and other military services and civilian companies around the world.

---John Conroy