Todos Medical Ltd. (OTCQB:TOMDF) has said it is set to branch into the world of MonkeyPox testing through its subsidiary Provista Diagnostics Inc, which has started a validation plan for PCR-based testing.
Todos acquired the US-based medical diagnostics company Provista to gain rights to its Alpharetta, Georgia-based CLIA/CAP-certified lab, which is currently performing PCR COVID testing, Long COVID Panel, and Provista's proprietary commercial-stage Videssa breast cancer blood test.
"The significant investment we made to automate PCR testing at Provista to maximize COVID testing capacity can now be partially redeployed towards MonkeyPox as we prepare to help the nation scale-up MonkeyPox testing capacity to meet the emerging public health crisis," said Gerald E. Commissiong, the CEO of Todos Medical, in a statement.
Under the plan, Todos is validating multiple PCR assays for MonkeyPox and will launch the most sensitive for lesion-based and saliva-based samples.
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"While lesion-based testing is the current standard of care according to CDC guidelines, saliva-based sample collection is currently undergoing intense research that could open up the potential for testing of asymptomatic or very early-stage patients at high risk of severe disease (such as immunocompromised patients) that could result in earlier diagnosis and early intervention with therapeutic drugs such as Tecovirimat (TPOXX)," the diagnostics group said.
The MonkeyPox tests are being developed as Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs), said Todos, which pointed to a recent peer-reviewed article describing strong correlation of the sensitivity of lesion and saliva-based PCR testing. The article can be read HERE.
Founded in Rehovot, Israel with offices in New York City, Todos Medical engineers life-saving diagnostic solutions for the early detection of a variety of cancers. Todos is also developing blood tests for the early detection of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Todos formed the Israeli-based majority-owned joint venture 3CL Pharma with NLC Pharma in March 2022. Through Todos' brand, 3CL Pharma has commercialized Tollovid in the United States.
Contact the writer at giles@proactiveinvestors.com