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EbolaMoDRAD · Project

Rapid Bedside Ebola Testing That Works Outside Specialist Labs

healthTestedTRL 5
ebolamodrad.eu

Right now, testing someone for Ebola requires expensive lab equipment and highly trained specialists — think of it like needing a full hospital lab just to check if someone has the flu. During the West African outbreak, mobile labs helped but couldn't keep up in crowded cities and slums. EbolaMoDRAD built portable diagnostic tools that can extract and detect the virus right at the patient's bedside, without needing a specialist to run them. Imagine swapping a room full of lab equipment for something a frontline health worker can use in the field.

By the numbers
5,000+
deaths caused by the EVD outbreak at time of project launch
15,000
individuals infected during the West African Ebola outbreak
EUR 4,300,935
EU contribution to develop bedside rapid diagnostics
18
consortium partners across 9 countries
8
total project deliverables produced
The business problem

What needed solving

Diagnosing Ebola currently requires specialist reference laboratories, highly trained staff, and expensive molecular equipment — resources that are scarce exactly when and where outbreaks hit hardest. During the West African outbreak, over 15,000 people were infected while mobile labs struggled to keep up in densely populated urban areas. The bottleneck is not medical knowledge but diagnostic access: identifying infected patients fast enough to isolate them and stop the spread.

The solution

What was built

The project built two key technologies: a field-usable filter-tip based RNA extraction system that simplifies the critical sample preparation step, and an automated closed detection system for Ebola that reduces the need for specialist training. Together, these move Ebola diagnosis from the reference lab to the patient's bedside.

Audience

Who needs this

Point-of-care diagnostic device manufacturers expanding into infectious diseaseMedical supply companies serving humanitarian and outbreak response organizationsNational public health laboratories building epidemic preparedness capacityBiodefense contractors developing rapid pathogen detection systemsGlobal health NGOs equipping field hospitals in outbreak regions
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Medical Diagnostics & Point-of-Care Devices
mid-size
Target: Point-of-care diagnostic device manufacturers

If you are a diagnostic device company looking to expand into infectious disease rapid testing — this project developed a field-usable filter-tip based RNA extraction method and an automated closed detection system for Ebola. These technologies could be integrated into your existing rapid test platforms to address outbreak preparedness markets. The project involved 4 industry partners across 9 countries, giving you a ready-made validation network.

Humanitarian Health Response
any
Target: Organizations supplying medical equipment for outbreak response

If you supply medical equipment to outbreak response teams and struggle with diagnostics that require specialist training — this project built tools designed for non-specialist use at the bedside. During the West African outbreak, over 15000 individuals were infected and existing mobile labs couldn't keep pace in densely populated areas. Field-deployable diagnostics like these reduce the bottleneck of limited trained staff and diagnostic hubs.

Public Health Laboratory Services
enterprise
Target: National reference laboratories and public health agencies

If you are a public health laboratory dealing with surge capacity during disease outbreaks — this project created an automated and closed Ebola detection system that reduces the need for specialist training and experience. With 18 consortium partners including 6 research organizations and 6 universities, the technology was validated across multiple institutional settings. This means faster scale-up of diagnostic capacity when outbreaks hit urban areas.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or acquire this diagnostic technology?

The project was funded with EUR 4,300,935 under the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI2), a public-private partnership. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the consortium, which includes 4 industry partners. Based on available project data, specific pricing or licensing fees are not publicly disclosed.

Can this technology scale for mass production?

The project specifically aimed to move diagnostics from specialist reference laboratories to bedside use, which implies design for simpler manufacturing and deployment. The automated closed detection system was designed to reduce reliance on specialist training, a key factor for scalability. However, based on available project data, mass production readiness would need further commercial development.

Who owns the intellectual property?

The project ran under IMI2-RIA funding rules, where IP is typically shared between the public and private consortium members. With 4 industry partners in the consortium, commercial IP rights likely involve these companies. Specific IP arrangements would need to be confirmed with the coordinator (Folkhälsomyndigheten, Sweden).

Has this been tested in real outbreak conditions?

The project ran from 2015 to 2018, overlapping with the tail end of the West African Ebola outbreak. Deliverables include a field-usable filter-tip based RNA extraction system, suggesting field-condition design requirements were central. The consortium included a partner in Senegal (SN), indicating direct connection to the affected region.

What regulatory approvals does this have?

Based on available project data, specific regulatory approvals (CE marking, WHO prequalification) are not documented in the deliverable descriptions. As an IMI2 research project, the outputs would typically require additional regulatory pathway work before commercial deployment. The automated closed system design may simplify future regulatory submissions.

How does this integrate with existing laboratory workflows?

The project developed two key components: a field-usable RNA extraction method and an automated closed detection system. The closed-system design suggests minimal contamination risk and easier integration into existing biosafety workflows. These were specifically designed to work outside traditional laboratory settings, reducing infrastructure requirements.

Consortium

Who built it

The EbolaMoDRAD consortium brings together 18 partners from 9 countries, with a balanced mix of 6 universities, 6 research organizations, 4 industry players, and 2 other entities. The 22% industry ratio and 2 SMEs show meaningful private-sector involvement, which is important for eventual commercialization of diagnostic tools. Notably, the consortium spans from Scandinavia (coordinator in Sweden) to West Africa (partner in Senegal), connecting European diagnostic expertise directly to the regions where Ebola outbreaks occur. The coordinator, Folkhälsomyndigheten (the Public Health Agency of Sweden), is a national authority — lending credibility but meaning commercial licensing would likely route through the industry partners.

How to reach the team

Folkhälsomyndigheten (Public Health Agency of Sweden) — contact via institutional channels or project website

Order a report on this consortiumSee FOLKHALSOMYNDIGHETEN profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing the rapid diagnostic technology from EbolaMoDRAD for your product line? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the right consortium partner. Contact us for a matchmaking consultation.

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