Point-of-care hepatitis C test that detects the virus quickly in outpatient clinics
Official title: Point-of-care Nucleic Acid Amplification Test for pangenomic Hepatitis C diagnosis in outpatient clinics
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11357656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new rapid, same-visit test aims to find hepatitis C at the point of care in outpatient clinics so people can start treatment faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $750,314 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI180936-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357656 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing hepatitis C testing in outpatient clinics who may benefit from rapid, point-of-care diagnosis.
✕Less likely to help
People not seeking testing or those outside outpatient clinic settings may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a user-friendly nucleic acid amplification test that can be used right in the clinic to diagnose hepatitis C without sending samples to a centralized lab. It focuses on delivering rapid results to improve linkage to care and reduce delays in treatment. By testing whole blood or easily collected samples at the point of care, clinicians can identify infected individuals sooner and begin curative therapy more quickly. The team will validate the test in real-world outpatient settings and compare its performance to standard lab-based NAATs. The work involves collaboration with clinicians, laboratorians, and patients to ensure the test fits into everyday practice.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients will get faster, accurate results and earlier access to life-saving hepatitis C treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous demonstrations of rapid nucleic acid tests show promise, with the potential for faster diagnosis and treatment following similar approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Posner, Jonathan D — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Posner, Jonathan D
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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.