Portable Molecular Test Detects STIs at POC in 15 Minutes

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae affect more than 370 million people annually, with women in low- and middle-income countries facing the greatest burden due to limited access to timely diagnostics. Now, a simple, portable, and rapid molecular test that can operate at ambient temperature without electricity has the potential to transform point-of-care (POC) testing and expand access to care for STIs.

Rapidemic BV (Leiden, Netherlands) is advancing the development of RapiDetect CT/NG, its unique platform technology for ultrarapid, power-free molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases. Rapidemic’s patented detection technology platform is built on a proprietary amplification system designed for rapid, accurate identification of infectious agents, including Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It offers high sensitivity and specificity, even in complex, mixed samples.

The amplification reaction is seamlessly integrated with a universal, easy-to-use detection method, providing a clear and reliable read-out—anytime, anywhere, by anyone. The first test under development is for the detection of the highly prevalent sexually transmitted infections Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in under 15 minutes. Rapidemic aims to expand access to affordable, high-quality diagnostics for infectious diseases worldwide.

Rapidemic has received a USD 2.7 million grant from the Gates Foundation to advance its molecular platform toward clinical implementation. The funding will support the optimization of its ultrarapid ambient-temperature assay, the development of scalable, cost-efficient manufacturing processes, and preparation for clinical verification to ensure readiness for real-world deployment.

“This investment is a major milestone for Rapidemic and a strong endorsement of our mission,” said Violette Defourt, founder and CEO of Rapidemic. “Our vision is to democratize molecular diagnostics by making them available anytime, anywhere, without the need for complex infrastructure. With funding support from the Gates Foundation, we can accelerate the development of RapiDetect CT/NG and move closer to ensuring that millions of people, particularly in low-resource settings, gain timely access to life-saving diagnostic tools.”

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