Collaboration Targets Blood-Based Ebola Detection Outside Central Laboratories

Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT, USA) and ReadyGo Diagnostics Ltd. (Bath, UK) have initiated a collaboration to evaluate ReadyGo’s GoCollect with the Co-Dx PCR platform for blood-based molecular testing at the point of need. The initial focus is decentralized Ebola virus detection to support outbreak response. Establishing compatibility with blood samples would expand the Co-Dx platform beyond its current swab-based testing capabilities to include bloodborne pathogens. The collaboration builds on earlier proof-of-concept work in which an Ebola assay was tested using plasma samples.

GoCollect is designed to prepare capillary blood for molecular testing through integrated sample-conditioning chemistry and plasma separation. Its collection chemistry is intended to inactivate the virus at the point of collection, supporting safer handling of samples outside a laboratory. The collaboration will examine whether GoCollect-prepared samples can be processed on the Co-Dx point-of-need PCR system, which is designed to synchronize results via cloud infrastructure as part of a streamlined, sample-to-result workflow for detection and response.

Compatibility has not yet been established, and feasibility testing is underway using materials and devices delivered for the evaluation. The companies caution that this work may not succeed or lead to a commercially available product. The Co-Dx PCR platform, including PCR Home, PCR Pro, the mobile app, and associated tests, has not been cleared or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It remains subject to regulatory review and is not yet available for sale.

Ebola remains a rapidly evolving public health threat with high mortality. As of September 7, 2026, the World Health Organization had reported 6,757 confirmed cases and 3,267 deaths across 61 health zones in six provinces during the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. An imported case has also been reported in France this year. These developments underscore the need for timely diagnosis, which decentralized testing closer to patients could support by shortening turnaround times.

“From the beginning, our objective has been to make molecular testing accessible to patients in settings with limited laboratory infrastructure. Preparing a blood sample for testing in those settings is an important part of that challenge, and ReadyGo brings technology that we believe could help us address it. This work with ReadyGo builds on our earlier work with plasma as we evaluate a practical blood-based testing workflow for the Co-Dx PCR platform,” said Dwight Egan, Chief Executive Officer of Co-Diagnostics.

“While Ebola is our initial focus, we believe the longer-term significance is the potential to expand the platform into additional applications, including HIV and hepatitis B and C. There are development and validation efforts ahead, but success could substantially broaden the range of diseases we can address and the commercial opportunity for the platform,” added Egan.