Developing a new urine test for diagnosing tuberculosis in low-resource settings
Official title: Flow Direct: Next Generation Urine LFA for TB Diagnosis in Point-of-Care Settings
Funded at Salus Discovery, LLC · NIH-11006515 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use urine test for tuberculosis that costs less than $2, so people in low-income areas can get quick and accurate results to help them get the treatment they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salus Discovery, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 10, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $300,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R44AI184104-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006515 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals over 21 years old who are at risk for tuberculosis, particularly in low-income countries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for tuberculosis or those who have access to existing high-quality TB testing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating an affordable and effective urine-based test for tuberculosis (TB) that can be used in point-of-care settings, particularly in low-income countries. The goal is to develop a lateral flow assay (LFA) that is simple to use and costs less than $2, making it accessible for populations that currently lack adequate testing options. By improving the sensitivity of TB diagnostics, this project aims to ensure that more patients can receive timely and accurate diagnoses, ultimately leading to better treatment outcomes. The research will involve testing the new assay's performance against existing methods to ensure its reliability and effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to accurate TB testing for patients in low-resource settings, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar approaches in developing low-cost diagnostic tests for other diseases, indicating potential for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Salus Discovery, LLC
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Warrick, Jay Wyatt — Salus Discovery, LLC
- Study coordinator: Warrick, Jay Wyatt
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Flow Direct: Next-Generation Urine Test for TB at the Point of Care
A new, affordable urine-based test could help diagnose tuberculosis quickly at clinics or in low-resource settings, including people living with HIV.
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3STEP: A quick, at-home like test for TB and drug resistance using a swab
A new swab-based test that can be done quickly at point-of-care to detect TB and drug resistance with high sensitivity from easy-to-collect samples.
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A new test to quickly diagnose sexually transmitted infections at the point of care
This study is working on a quick and easy test for sexually transmitted infections that can give results in under 35 minutes, especially for men who have sex with men and those in low-income communities, so they can get diagnosed and treated right at their local clinic in just one visit.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.