New collaboration to increase access to Rapid Molecular Tests for TB

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Stop TB Partnership announced a new collaboration with Molbio Diagnostics that significantly reduces the price of the Truenat MTB and MTB Plus tests, including a supply of MTB-RIF Dx tests for subsequent testing for rifampicin resistance, and ensures timely service and maintenance of diagnostic instruments. This collaboration will expand equitable access to quality rapid testing to underserved populations across all countries supported by the Global Fund, USAID and the Stop TB Partnership.

Although rapid molecular tuberculosis (TB) tests are endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the standard of care, less than 40% of people in need of TB testing in 2021 had access to a rapid molecular diagnostic test. Major barriers in expanding access to testing include high operating costs, infrastructure challenges and inefficient executions. This significant gap in access to rapid molecular testing for TB and drug resistance stands as one of the largest shortfalls in the global TB response today.

In 2020, WHO endorsed three of Molbio Diagnostics’ rapid molecular Truenat® assays (Truenat® MTB, MTB Plus and MTB-RIF Dx) for the initial diagnosis of TB and subsequent detection of rifampicin resistance in adults and children with signs and symptoms of pulmonary TB. With the WHO recommendation, Molbio Diagnostics is positioned as a welcomed new key player to fight TB worldwide.