Australian firm Atomo Diagnostics has collaborated with US-based biotechnology company RPS Diagnostics for the development and commercialisation of next-generation FebriDx tests to diagnose febrile acute respiratory infections (ARI).

Intended for point-of-care use, the rapid, single-use, disposable FebriDx test involves the use of a fingerstick blood sample to assess the immune response of the body to ARIs.

According to Atomo, the test takes less than ten minutes to detect people with a clinically significant underlying infection.

FebriDx is also designed to distinguish between viral and bacterial ARIs by simultaneous and direct identification of Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), as well as c-reactive protein (CRP) from the peripheral whole blood.

Under the partnership, the existing, commercially available, qualitative FebriDx test will leverage Atomo’s all-in-one rapid diagnostic test platform designed to offer a consolidated test.