genedrive PLC (LON:GDR) is to trial its hepatitis C (HCV) testing device in recovering heroin addicts as it looks to see if its diagnostic is cheaper and more effective than what is currently available on the market.
People undergoing treatment for opiate addiction are generally unlikely to travel too far to see a doctor, so genedrive thinks its easy-to-use, outreach kit could be particularly useful in this patient population.
READ: genedrive 'well-placed' after £6mln fundraise
The study will determine if more people with hepatitis C can be treated and cured and will also examine whether Genedrive HCV-ID is a more cost-effective option for the NHS in the UK and Medicare in Australia.
It will be funded by US biopharma giant AbbVie Inc (NYSE:ABBV) and is expected to last for two years and enrol around 140 patients.
“The advancement of molecular diagnostics to the point of need will provide faster treatment decisions to patients who have difficulty accessing traditional centralised services,” said chief executive David Budd.
“We see the requirement for Test and Treat outside of centralised services as a common theme across our menu targets. We are very pleased to be working with Professor Dillon in further proving the cost-effectiveness and clinical benefits of Genedrive HCV-ID in another near patient setting.”
John Dillon, who is leading the study, added: “It is vital that if we are to eliminate HCV, we must find novel ways of using paradigm shifting technology like Genedrive HCV-ID in care pathways, to bring cure of HCV to the people who need it most.”