Readily Diagnostics, a Swedish point-of-care diagnostics company spun out of Uppsala University, has received an approximately $970,000 (SEK 9 million) grant from the Gates Foundation to develop an affordable molecular test for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.
Expanding Access to STI Testing
The project targets three of the world’s most common sexually transmitted infections, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to accurate diagnostics remains limited. Readily is developing a point-of-care platform designed to deliver molecular results directly from patient samples without central laboratory infrastructure.
The platform builds on Readily’s padlock-probe technology originally developed for respiratory infections. Development will focus on an affordable test suitable for primary care, family planning and HIV-prevention settings.
“Readily is committed to delivering accessible molecular diagnostics. A diagnosis should not depend on where you happen to live,” says Liza Löf, CEO of Readily Diagnostics. “This grant from the Gates Foundation lets us show that an accurate STI test can also be simple and affordable enough to use anywhere. That is the whole point of the technology we have built.”
Detecting Antibiotic Resistance
Readily also plans to incorporate detection of genetic markers associated with antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea. Resistance information could help clinicians select appropriate treatments while reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and limiting further resistance development.
The Gates Foundation funding will support early feasibility work, sample preparation, antimicrobial resistance detection and creation of a product development roadmap. The project is being developed around affordable and broad access to STI diagnostics.