Rapid malaria detection from saliva

According to WHO, in 2019 nearly half of the world’s population was at risk of contracting malaria. The latest World malaria report states that in 2019 there were approximately 229 million cases. Africa is the most affected continent with over 94% of the world's malaria cases and deaths, with children and pregnant women being the highest risk groups. 

Aqsens Health is developing a saliva-based malaria screening test, the AQ Malaria test, in collaboration with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Accra, Ghana. The AQ Malaria test utilizes Aqsens Health's innovative phage-based biosensors and is affordable, accurate and more accessible than blood based malaria screening tests. It can be easily Integrated with AQ MOBI for mobile testing and AQ EPIC for large-scale disease management.

Aqsens Health aims to implement a paper based RDT test for malaria using innovative nanocellulose technology. This novel approach has the potential to significantly reduce both the cost and CO2 emissions of rapid test production, making it an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative, especially for developing economies.

AQ MALARIA (clinical validation phase 2024)