News from Defense.gov: DOD, HHS Awards a $35.1M contract to LightDeck Diagnostics to increase production of its 5-Minute point-of-care tests for COVID-19

On July 8, 2021, the Department of Defense (DOD), on behalf of and in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded a $35.1 million contract to LightDeck Diagnostics to increase its manufacturing capacity, and is specifically aimed to LightDeck’s upcoming ultra-rapid COVID-19 Ultra-Rapid Antigen and Total Antibody tests. With the funds, LightDeck will be able to increase its Colorado-based production capacity, from 50 thousand tests per month to 1.0 million per month, by September of 2022.

Testing quickly, accurately, and frequently is critical for preventing the further spread of COVID-19, especially as we begin to lift up restrictions on public gatherings.  LightDeck’s point-of-care five-minute tests will enable results within the span of a doctor’s appointment, lessening the burden of unnecessary quarantines and improving timeliness of diagnosis. LightDeck CEO, Chris Myatt remarks, “Our mission is to democratize access to diagnostics solutions that deliver speed without compromising accuracy. We’re honored to receive this contract from the DOD and HHS to drive our mission forward and continue to improve the state of our public health.” 

The DOD’s Defense Assisted Acquisition (DA2) Cell led this effort in coordination with the Department of the Air Force’s Acquisition COVID-19 Task Force (DAF ACT). HHS’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, funded this effort through the Health Care Enhancement Act (HCEA) to support domestic industrial base expansion for critical medical resources.

To learn more about LightDeck or BARDA’s COVID-19 response efforts, visit https://lightdeckdx.com/ or www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/.

About HHS, ASPR, and BARDA:  

HHS works to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans, providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. The mission of ASPR is to save lives and protect Americans from 21st century health security threats. Within ASPR, BARDA invests in the innovation, advanced research and development, acquisition, and manufacturing of medical countermeasures – vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products needed to combat health security threats. To date, BARDA-supported products have achieved 59 FDA approvals, licensures or clearances. To learn more about BARDA’s COVID-19 Portfolio and BARDA’s COVID-19 Response, visit www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/.

About LightDeck: 

LightDeck Diagnostics believes in a new approach to healthcare, where quick and accurate diagnostic tests will be run wherever and whenever they are needed, without compromise. The company’s proprietary LightDeck® platform combines an advanced laser waveguide with novel materials and patented manufacturing techniques to deliver lab-quality results anywhere, in minutes. The LightDeck platform is achieving success in veterinary diagnostics and for environmental testing. LightDeck is also introducing a portfolio of in vitro diagnostic panels, the first is an on-the-spot test for COVID-19. Learn more at www.LightDeckDx.com

Contact Information

Kathryn Ryan

Account Manager

VSC on behalf of LightDeck

lightdeckdx@vsc.co