The company’s be.well platform can detect seasonal influenza A and B as well as avian influenza A(H5) in humans within 45 minutes at the point of care.
Alveo Technologies has successfully fulfilled all objectives in its expanded agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to advance its rapid molecular point-of-care diagnostic for detecting seasonal and avian influenza strains in humans.
The Alameda, California-based company completed core milestones including assay development, software integration, and manufacturing scale-up on schedule and to specification. The work focused on advancing Alveo’s be.well platform to detect and differentiate between seasonal influenzas A and B, as well as influenza A(H5), a subtype commonly associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
“This accomplishment exemplifies the power of proactive, cross-functional collaboration and public-private partnerships,” says Shaun Holt, CEO at Alveo, in a release. “Our work under this agreement has not only met its defined goals but has also built the infrastructure and readiness necessary to support rapid response during future outbreaks.”
Platform Delivers Results in 45 Minutes
The be.well platform uses Alveo’s proprietary IntelliSense technology, a patented method of direct electrical sensing of nucleic acid amplification. The palm-sized molecular analyzer allows testing at the point of need without requiring sample transportation to a central laboratory.
Collected samples are transferred to a cartridge, inserted into the analyzer, and results are available in 45 minutes or less via a mobile app. Through the Alveo Vista portal, raw data and analytics can be automatically geotagged, uploaded to the cloud, and exported for regulatory agencies and public health officials.
After completing the CDC’s original scope of work in January 2025, which focused on validating nasal samples, Alveo demonstrated feasibility for using conjunctival samples from the mucous membrane inside the eyelid. This capability addresses common symptoms associated with avian flu in humans, which include conjunctivitis or pink eye.
Verification Studies Show Performance Equivalence
Alveo’s verification studies using the be.well platform demonstrated performance equivalence and sensitivity to nasal samples tested using polymerase chain reaction, confirming the assay’s adaptability across specimen types.
“The versatility of our diagnostic testing, monitoring, and reporting ecosystem to adapt to new information as it becomes available is extremely beneficial to the CDC,” says Holt in a release. “Our platform enables the rapid, accurate detection of influenza A(H5) presenting as conjunctivitis without having to send a sample to a lab.”
The company’s platform serves human, animal, and environmental health applications. Alveo’s Alveo Sense Poultry Avian Influenza Test is already in use in several countries in the European Union, Middle East, and Asia for testing highly pathogenic avian influenza strains in poultry.
The expanded CDC agreement builds on growing demand for rapid molecular diagnostics that can provide actionable results outside traditional laboratory settings, particularly for emerging infectious disease threats requiring immediate public health response.
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