Cepheid Joins CDC Initiative to Strengthen U.S. Pandemic Testing Preparednesss

Cepheid (Sunnyvale, CA, USA) has been selected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of four national collaborators in a federal initiative to speed rapid diagnostic technologies for public health emergencies. The award was issued under a multiple‑award Indefinite Delivery–Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The collaboration is intended to strengthen U.S. pandemic preparedness.

Under this framework, the CDC can provide Cepheid early access to outbreak samples, genomic sequences, and critical reference materials. The objective is to bridge development gaps during the initial stages of pathogen emergence and accelerate the creation of next-generation diagnostic assays, enabling rapid and accurate testing as new threats arise. Cepheid states that its integrated PCR systems are designed to deliver fast results across diverse care settings while supporting real-time surveillance, early detection, and evidence-based decision-making.

Image: The initiative aims to speed next-generation diagnostic development during early pathogen emergence (photo courtesy of 123RF)

The company cites its COVID-19 experience, when it launched the first point-of-care PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 in the United States within weeks of publication of the viral sequence, as evidence that development timelines can be compressed without sacrificing accuracy or quality. Within the IDIQ framework, Cepheid will contribute to efforts to modernize outbreak detection, accelerate diagnostic innovation, and maintain testing agility as threats evolve. The collaboration underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in enabling rapid scale-up and strengthening operational readiness.

“For years, Cepheid has been at the forefront of outbreak response,” said Vitor Rocha, President of Cepheid. “We are honored to be selected by CDC for this IDIQ award for rapid, scalable diagnostics, and we are confident the collaboration can leverage our pioneering technology and global footprint to help public health systems respond swiftly and effectively to emerging challenges.”

“Cepheid has proven we can reliably deliver quality molecular diagnostics when they're needed most,” said Larry Kelmar, Vice President, Government Programs and Pharma Collaborations at Cepheid. “Working closely with partners like the CDC strengthens our ability to rapidly respond to new outbreaks and safeguard communities with advanced, high‑impact testing solutions.”

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