# PA21259, SBIR, Phase I, Development of a High Throughput Assay for Rapid Detection of HSV and Treponema pallidum

> **NIH ALLCDC R43** · MICROGEN, LLC · 2022 · $299,801

## Abstract

Project Summary
In response to NOT-EB-21-001 (Small Business Initiatives for Innovative Diagnostic Technology for Improving
Outcomes for Maternal Health), we propose to develop a high-throughput, user-friendly diagnostic test for
Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) and Herpes simplex virus (HSV types 1 & 2) at the point-of-care (POC).
Microgen’s POC test is likely to reduce costs and turn-around times as testing is performed at a single location
for both pathogens. Genital and anogenital ulcers can be caused by infection with T. pallidum, but in many
cases they are caused by an HSV infection. T. pallidum is the causative agent of syphilis, a sexually
transmitted infection that can cause serious health problems if it is not treated. Syphilis in pregnant women can
cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or the baby’s death shortly after birth. Infections with HSV-1 or HSV-2 are highly
prevalent worldwide and both types commonly cause genital infection; primary and reactivation of HSV
increases the risk of transmission to the fetus or neonate. Neonatal HSV infection can have devastating long-
term consequences, especially when the central nervous system is involved. Thus, there is an urgent need for
a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) to detect HSV and T. pallidum that could be used to identify at-risk
pregnant women at the point-of-care. Microgen’s One-Step platform is an innovative, low-cost, and user-
friendly technology that can address this challenge. The goal of this project is to develop an inexpensive ($20
each) and rapid (15-25 min from sample to result) NAAT to detect both T. pallidum and HSV, allowing
immediate counseling and treatment. Development of this test will provide a new tool for diagnosis, particulary
in pregnant women.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10479298
- **Project number:** 1R43PS005273-01
- **Recipient organization:** MICROGEN, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Raymond Preston Stowe
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $299,801
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-09-30 → 2024-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10479298

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10479298, PA21259, SBIR, Phase I, Development of a High Throughput Assay for Rapid Detection of HSV and Treponema pallidum (1R43PS005273-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10479298. Licensed CC0.

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