LLamsoft and FIND Collaborate to Increase Access to Diagnostics

The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and LLamasoft reportedly have collaborated to develop an open-access tool that facilitates diagnostic network optimization. The companies said they hope to guide placement of diagnostics aligned with treatment capacity for tuberculosis (TB), HIV and other diseases.

The diagnostic network optimization tool is designed to identify cost-effective approaches to increase diagnostic reach in low- and middle-income countries. The tool provides data-driven guidance for strategic planning and decision-making by Ministries of Health and global health donors.

“Diagnostic Network Optimization is a key part of PEPFAR’s strategy to reach the first and third of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals,” said Shadrack Were, team lead, GHSC-PSM Health Systems Strengthening Acting Laboratory. “This partnership between FIND, GHSC-PSM, and LLamasoft is a perfect example of the kind of collaboration we need to tackle global epidemics like HIV and TB.”

The open-access diagnostic network optimization tool is expected to complete development by June 2020. Further use of the tool is planned to expand to up to 20 countries and up to 100 users within 3 years after the general availability launch.

“Significant investment is urgently needed to end the TB epidemic. Taking a step back and analyzing the data, we can see how we can improve patients’ access to diagnostics services and do better with the resources already available,” said Zachary Katz, chief access officer, FIND. “Network optimization is already being used to enhance supply chains across many industries – it is logical and necessary to bring this approach to diagnostics and global health through an open-access tool.”