Grand Challenges Canada, Gates Foundation Announce Grants To Develop Portable Diagnostic Tools

The two organizations have invested around US $32 million in the discovery and development of new and improved diagnostic tools to help health workers in developing countries, with the aim of speeding up treatment and saving lives. “Diagnosis is the neglected cousin of prevention and treatment,” said Peter Singer, explaining his interest in diagnostic tools. “More rapid diagnosis of malaria alone could prevent 100,000 deaths a year. We believe this and other life-saving opportunities are within our reach. We think we can have a device like the medical `tricorder’ in 6-7 years." Grand Challenges is currently on the lookout for innovative diagnostic tools and processes covering the collection and preparation for analysis of biological samples, disease identification, technology to obtain and transmit data and receive results, and robust devices which work in the field where there is often no electricity or refrigeration. Full Story

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