GHIT Fund Invests $460,000 in Novel Mpox Diagnostic Test Development to Address African Outbreak
核心洞察
The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (搜索) announced a $460,000 investment to develop a prototype mpox (搜索) detection test capable of distinguishing between viral clades using the Iso-PAS genetic testing method.
The project involves NIPRO Corporation, TBA Co. Ltd (搜索), Japan Institute for Health Security (搜索), PATH, and Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (搜索) to create rapid diagnostics for resource-limited settings.
Over 170,000 mpox (搜索) cases were confirmed in 141 countries between January 2022 and October 2025, with children under 5 years showing case fatality ratios of 7-9% in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund announced a JPY 70 million ($460,000) investment for developing a prototype mpox (搜索) detection test capable of distinguishing between viral clades, addressing critical diagnostic gaps in the ongoing African outbreak.
Addressing Critical Diagnostic Needs
The investment targets development of a rapid diagnostic test using the Iso-PAS method (搜索), an inexpensive and simple genetic testing technique designed for facilities with limited infrastructure. The project brings together NIPRO Corporation, a global healthcare company specializing in medical devices and pharmaceuticals; TBA Co. Ltd (搜索), a venture company from Tohoku University; the Japan Institute for Health Security (搜索); international non-profit PATH; and the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (搜索).
Current diagnostic systems for identifying mpox (搜索) clades remain insufficient locally, creating an urgent need for simple and rapid diagnostic tests with clade distinguishing capabilities to prevent further infection spread. The ability to differentiate between mpox strains is crucial, as infection rates and disease severity vary depending on the viral type.
Ongoing Public Health Crisis
Mpox (搜索) continues to pose significant public health challenges across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to World Health Organization data, more than 170,000 cases were confirmed in 141 countries between January 2022 and October 2025.
The disease's impact on children remains particularly severe. WHO surveillance data from January-May 2024 in the Democratic Republic of Congo revealed that 62% of fatalities occurred in children aged under 5 years, with case fatality ratios ranging from approximately 7 to 9% in this age group.
Emergency Response Timeline
The World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in August 2024 against the widespread outbreak in the African region, following an earlier declaration in July 2022. Although the emergency declaration was lifted in September 2025, mpox (搜索) cases continue to be reported in neighboring countries, and the risk of severe complications and re-emergence remains a concern.
Technology Development Goals
The prototype detection test aims to enable easy testing in resource-limited settings, facilitating prompt and appropriate treatment while helping prevent infection spread. The Iso-PAS method (搜索)'s simplicity and cost-effectiveness make it particularly suitable for deployment in areas with limited laboratory infrastructure.
Performance evaluation of the prototype will be conducted as part of the development process, ensuring the diagnostic tool meets clinical requirements for accuracy and reliability in distinguishing between mpox (搜索) clades.
Global Health Partnership
The GHIT Fund joined the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R) as a member in September 2025, becoming the second Japanese organization to join after the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. This membership strengthens international collaboration in developing innovative diagnostic technologies for swift responses to future public health challenges.