Date: April 3, 2013
Company: Becton, Dickinson and Co., Franklin Lakes, N.J.
Contract amount: $1.8 million for two years
About the contract: Under the contract, the company will complete the development of a diagnostic test to identify antiviral resistance in influenza. The test would combine detection of influenza virus with identification of antiviral drug resistance in clinical respiratory samples. The company will use a platform that combines the development of a test for identifying influenza antiviral resistance with a test already cleared by the FDA to detect influenza A and B.
Additional information: The contract for advanced development is supported by BARDA, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. The contract supports the development of a critical test that is part of a national pandemic preparedness strategy, which includes accelerating the advanced development of new methods for identifying antiviral drug resistance.
Press Release: HHS awards contract to create test to identify influenza viruses
