CORONADX · Project

Rapid Point-of-Care COVID-19 Tests Usable Anywhere by Non-Specialists

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Imagine being able to test someone for COVID-19 right there in an ambulance, airport, or even a parking lot — no fancy lab required. That's what CORONADX built: three portable diagnostic devices that a briefly trained person can use to get results fast. Think of it like a pregnancy test but for respiratory viruses. The project also studied how the virus spreads and how societies respond to pandemics on social media.

By the numbers

rapid diagnostic tools developed (PATHPOD, PATHLOCK, PATHAG)

front-line POC test requiring no lab equipment

second-line diagnostic tools for portable use

consortium partners

countries in consortium (AT, CN, DK, IT, SE)

SMEs in the consortium

month target for EUA application submission

The business problem

What needed solving

During infectious disease outbreaks, diagnostic testing is bottlenecked in centralized laboratories with expensive equipment and trained technicians. This delays detection, slows public health response, and leaves front-line settings — airports, clinics, ships, ambulances — without the ability to screen people on the spot. Companies in healthcare, travel, and diagnostics manufacturing need rapid, portable testing solutions that non-specialists can operate.

The solution

What was built

Three point-of-care diagnostic systems: PATHPOD (front-line, no equipment needed), PATHLOCK, and PATHAG (second-line, minimal portable equipment). All three reached the stage of end-user hands-on training and distribution, with Emergency Use Authorization applications planned by project month 7.

Audience

Who needs this

Hospital networks and primary care providers needing rapid on-site respiratory pathogen screeningAirlines and cruise operators requiring fast passenger health screening at boardingIVD (in-vitro diagnostics) manufacturers seeking licensable rapid-test platformsPublic health agencies building pandemic preparedness stockpilesMilitary and emergency response organizations needing field-deployable diagnostics

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Healthcare and Hospital Networks

enterprise

Target: Hospital groups and primary care networks managing infectious disease screening

If you are a hospital network dealing with the bottleneck of sending respiratory samples to centralized labs and waiting days for results — this project developed three point-of-care diagnostic systems (PATHPOD, PATHLOCK, PATHAG) that allow minimally trained staff to run tests on-site. The front-line tool needs no lab equipment at all, while the second-line tools require only portable gear. End-user training programs were delivered as part of the project.

Travel and Transport

enterprise

Target: Airlines, cruise lines, and airport operators needing rapid passenger screening

If you are an airline or cruise operator that struggled with screening passengers during outbreaks — this project built a front-line POC test designed for use in planes, cruise ships, and points of entry. The test can be performed by a minimally trained person without laboratory infrastructure. The consortium included partners across 5 countries with real-world field evaluation experience.

In-Vitro Diagnostics Manufacturing

any

Target: IVD companies seeking next-generation rapid test platforms to license or co-develop

If you are a diagnostics manufacturer looking to expand your rapid-test portfolio beyond COVID-19 — CORONADX developed three distinct diagnostic platforms with planned Emergency Use Authorization applications by month 7. The consortium included 3 SMEs and 3 industry partners, and training materials for PATHPOD, PATHLOCK, and PATHAG are already developed, meaning the technology transfer pathway is partially built.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt or license these diagnostic tools?

Pricing details are not disclosed in the available project data. The consortium includes 3 industry partners and 3 SMEs, suggesting commercial intent. Interested companies should contact the coordinator at Danmarks Tekniske Universitet to discuss licensing or co-development terms.

Can these tests scale to screen thousands of people per day?

The front-line tool was specifically designed for decentralized, high-throughput scenarios — airports, cruise ships, hospitals, and field settings. The fact that minimally trained personnel can operate it suggests scalability through distributed deployment rather than centralized processing.

What is the IP situation — can we license or manufacture these?

The project was funded as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) with 10 consortium partners across 5 countries. IP ownership typically sits with the consortium members who developed each tool. With 3 SMEs and 3 industry partners involved, commercial licensing pathways likely exist.

Were these tests validated in real clinical settings?

The project delivered end-user hands-on training on all three systems (PATHPOD, PATHLOCK, and PATHAG), indicating the devices reached a functional state tested with actual users. The objective also mentions lab and field evaluations as part of the development plan.

Do these tools only work for COVID-19 or can they detect other pathogens?

Based on available project data, the primary target was COVID-19 detection. However, the underlying platform technologies (point-of-care molecular and antigen detection) are commonly adaptable to other respiratory pathogens. Specific multi-pathogen capabilities would need to be confirmed with the development teams.

What regulatory approvals do these tests have?

The project planned to submit Emergency Use Authorization applications by month 7 of the project. The project ran from April 2020 to September 2023, giving substantial time for regulatory processes. Current approval status should be verified directly with the consortium.

Consortium

Who built it

The CORONADX consortium brings together 10 partners across 5 countries (Austria, China, Denmark, Italy, Sweden), with a solid mix of 4 universities, 3 industry players, 2 research institutes, and 1 other organization. The 30% industry ratio and 3 SMEs signal genuine commercial ambition — this was not a purely academic exercise. The coordinator, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, is one of Europe's top technical universities with strong industry transfer credentials. Having a Chinese partner was strategically important given COVID-19's origin, providing access to early clinical samples and epidemiological data. For a business buyer, this consortium structure means the technology was developed with real-world deployment in mind, and multiple commercial partners already have skin in the game.

DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITETCoordinator · DK
FONDAZIONE ICONSparticipant · IT
MEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIENparticipant · AT
TATAA BIOCENTER ABparticipant · SE
STATENS SERUM INSTITUTparticipant · DK
SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITYparticipant · CN
UNIVERSITA VITA-SALUTE SAN RAFFAELEparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU), Denmark — reach out to the project coordinator for licensing and partnership inquiries

Order a report on this consortium See DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the CORONADX team? SciTransfer can connect you with the right people and provide a detailed technology brief tailored to your needs.

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