Chembio Diagnostics Awarded BARDA Contract for Development of DPP COVID-19 Point-of-Care Antigen System

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., July 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEMI), a leading point-of-care diagnostic company focused on infectious diseases, today announced it has been awarded a contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contract is intended to assist Chembio in developing a COVID-19 point-of-care antigen system using Chembio’s proprietary DPP technology and requesting a U.S. Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the system. The award totals $628,071 and is to be distributed in periodic funding over the next several months.

Chembio will use the funds under contract number 75A50120C00138 to accelerate development of its DPP COVID-19 Antigen System, which is expected to consist of a DPP COVID-19 Antigen Assay and DPP Micro Reader and to use a respiratory specimen, such as a nasal or nasopharyngeal swab, to detect SARS-CoV-2 antigens.

“We are honored to again partner with BARDA and appreciate their support on a shared mission to expand and decentralize COVID-19 testing,” stated Rick Eberly, Chembio’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe offering virus detection for diagnosis at the point of care can improve clinical outcomes and play a major role in combating the ongoing pandemic.”

About Chembio Diagnostics
Chembio is a leading point-of-care diagnostics company focused on detecting and diagnosing infectious diseases, including COVID-19, sexually transmitted disease, and fever and tropical disease. The company’s proprietary DPP technology platform, which uses a small drop of blood from the fingertip or alternative sample types, provides high-quality, cost-effective results in approximately 15 minutes. Coupled with Chembio’s extensive scientific expertise, its novel DPP technology offers broad market applications beyond infectious disease. Chembio’s products are sold globally, directly and through distributors, to hospitals and clinics, physician offices, clinical laboratories, public health organizations, government agencies, and consumers. Learn more at www.chembio.com.