CARB-X will award up to US$6 million to Scout to finalize development of STI Scout, an affordable rapid molecular diagnostic for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) and Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) designed for both point-of-care (POC) and over-the-counter (OTC) use. This award expands on CARB-X's initial 2024 investment and will advance the product into verification and validation.
Scout's platform leverages a proprietary molecular chemistry which enables rapid detection of multiple pathogens in a single tube. This results in a test platform with orders-of-magnitude lower cost than commercially available clinical solutions while maintaining a sensitivity which can detect targets missed by rapid antigen tests. Because the system relies on minimal hardware and low-cost consumables, it can be manufactured and scaled efficiently.
"Cost is the number one barrier for adoption of rapid molecular testing in the US and abroad. COVID showed the limits of expensive, complex systems. Even with strong performance, their economics made sustained adoption impossible. Scout has focused on lowering cost through advances in chemistry and simplifying test design, enabling a platform that meets molecular performance requirements at a price point that supports a lasting, impactful solution."
The STI Scout test can use either first void urine or vaginal swabs, and future tests will be able to guide therapy for gonorrhea treatment based on antibiotic susceptibility. STI Scout uses the Scout Hub and the Scout Connect mobile app, which provides instructions, tracks results, and eventually will also allow patients to connect digitally to a healthcare provider.
Sample Types
First void urine or vaginal swabs
Future Capability
Antibiotic susceptibility guidance for gonorrhea treatment
Connected Experience
Scout Hub instrument + Scout Connect mobile app
Telehealth ReadyComing soon
Digital connection to healthcare providers
CARB-X's additional funding also enables Scout to investigate a pilot in a low- or middle-income country, reflecting the platform's ability to extend high-quality molecular STI testing to resource and infrastructure-constrained settings. Expanding access to accurate molecular testing in settings where treatment is often empirical can support more appropriate therapy decisions and help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
"We are pleased to see the development progress STI Scout has made in the CARB-X portfolio as it moves toward verification and validation. This next phase of funding will help advance a platform that has the potential to be globally relevant, particularly for resource-limited settings where rapid, point-of-care results can impact both individual treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections and antibiotic stewardship."
Funding Attribution
Research reported in this press release is supported by CARB-X. CARB-X's funding for this project is provided by federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority; under agreement number: 75A50122C00028, and by awards from Wellcome (WT224842), Germany's Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the UK Department of Health and Social Care as part of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF), and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of CARB-X or any of its funders.