Universal molecular test for Crimean‑Congo hemorrhagic fever
Official title: PANDAA for universal, pan-lineage molecular detection of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus.
Funded at Aldatu Biosciences, INC. · NIH-11145788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A rapid molecular test that can detect all genetic variants of the virus that causes Crimean‑Congo hemorrhagic fever in people with suspected infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Aldatu Biosciences, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Watertown, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 24, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $975,023 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI157650-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with recent unexplained fever or suspected tick exposure in regions where CCHF occurs, or patients whose clinicians seek confirmatory molecular testing.
✕Less likely to help
People without CCHF, those beyond the time window when viral RNA is detectable, or individuals who cannot access participating clinics or labs are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project is developing PANDAA CCHFV, a rapid, sensitive molecular diagnostic designed to find all genetic lineages of Crimean‑Congo hemorrhagic fever virus using an adaptive probe‑based qPCR method. The PANDAA technology changes probe‑target interactions to overcome viral genetic variation so fluorescent probes can reliably detect diverse variants. The team will validate the assay with clinical samples and optimize performance for use in resource‑limited and outbreak settings where early diagnosis is critical. The aim is to commercialize a pan‑lineage diagnostic with faster and more consistent detection than existing tests.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could enable quicker and more accurate diagnosis of CCHF, helping clinicians start appropriate care faster and improving outbreak response.
How similar studies have gone: Conventional PCR tests can detect CCHFV but struggle with viral diversity, and the PANDAA approach is a novel method designed specifically to overcome that limitation.
Where this research is happening
-
Aldatu Biosciences, INC.
Watertown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Macleod, Iain James — Aldatu Biosciences, INC.
- Study coordinator: Macleod, Iain James
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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.