Rapid diagnostic for gonorrhea wins $19 million federal prize competition to combat antibiotic resistance

A diagnostic test capable of accurately and reliably detecting the microorganism that causes gonorrhea and rapidly determining in under 30 minutes if the microorganism is susceptible to a single-dose antibiotic is the winner of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Diagnostic Challenge. Visby Medical, Inc., will receive $19 million as a prize for its winning diagnostic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the United States each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result. The AMR Diagnostic Challenge is co-sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, with each contributing $10 million over the course of the competition.