# A Rapid and Inexpensive Point-of-Care Test for Beta-Thalassemia Carriers

> **NIH NIH R61** · SILVER LAKE RESEARCH CORPORATION · 2021 · $345,189

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This proposal describes the development of HemoTypeBT, a rapid and inexpensive
point-of-care immunoassay test kit for the identification of beta-thalassemia carriers.
Screening and counseling programs aimed at carriers have proven effective in reducing
the incidence of this genetic disease by >90%. However, the cost and logistical burden
of today's testing methods is a high barrier to implementation of such programs. The
proposed test kit will be a lateral flow immunoassay, similar in principle to a home
pregnancy test, and based on the highly successful HemoTypeSC test for sickle-cell
disease. The test design is based on monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for the
small differences between disease-linked hemoglobin variants. At the successful
conclusion of the proposed work, the HemoTypeBT test kit will be pre-clinically validated
and ready for manufacturing and submission for approval to regulatory agencies
worldwide.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10234205
- **Project number:** 5R61HL154094-02
- **Recipient organization:** SILVER LAKE RESEARCH CORPORATION
- **Principal Investigator:** MARK GEISBERG
- **Activity code:** R61 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $345,189
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-15 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10234205

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10234205, A Rapid and Inexpensive Point-of-Care Test for Beta-Thalassemia Carriers (5R61HL154094-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10234205. Licensed CC0.

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