Oxford Nanopore

The approach, which is developed for both Illumina and nanopore sequencing, had high sensitivity and specificity for identifying bacteria and fungi.

Investors in the round included International Holdings Company (IHC), based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and RPMI Railpen, a UK pension fund.

The initiative will build up pathogen sequencing capacity through investment from the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, Illumina, and Oxford Nanopore.

Oxford Nanopore said it is rolling out the LamPore test globally, initially in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

The nanopore sequencing-based test is designed to both diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as monitor mutations that may affect efforts to combat the virus.

Under the non-exclusive deal, Oxford Nanopore can include the technology, which targets long DNA fragments, in its nanopore sequencing products.

The funding will be used to start a new trial to assess the benefits of repeat population testing, expand existing trials, and increase PCR-based testing capacity.