PocDoc and PATH expand global Polio screening partnership

PocDoc and PATH: Renewing Success

PocDoc has today announced the renewal of its partnership with PATH to jointly develop and the PocDoc Digital Reader for a number of Polio outbreak areas around the world.

This renewal comes on the success of the Phase 1 contract, where PocDoc developed a pilot app-based digital reader for primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) to help scale PID rapid testing and aid the roll out of polio vaccinations across the world, with the intent to further collaborate in delivering this solution in remote areas at risk of polio outbreaks.

Polio Cases: A Global Concern

While the number of polio cases globally has dropped significantly, tens of thousands of children are still at risk annually and the only way to eliminate danger is to eradicate the disease via global mass vaccination efforts. 

The oral polio vaccine (OPV) is widely used and has so far prevented 13 million cases worldwide. It uses a weakened version of the poliovirus that replicates in the intestine for a short period to build immunity. 

However, people with PID are less capable of building an immune response to the vaccine-virus, increasing the possibility that the vaccine-virus will continue to replicate in them for longer periods of time. 

These weakened vaccine-viruses can regain strength over time, becoming more like pathogenic poliovirus, therefore increasing the risk of community outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus. It is therefore critical to screen for PID before administering the OPV.

Innovation in Remote Testing 

Current testing requires lab technology, but the use of a rapid test and smartphone-based digital reader can facilitate detection in remote locations at risk of polio outbreaks where immediate response is needed. PocDoc has developed a unique app-first, cloud-based diagnostic platform that allows anyone with a smartphone to be tested for major diseases.

PocDoc's Recent Achievements

PocDoc recently launched the world’s first smartphone-based lipid test in the UK and has partnerships with a number of major healthcare organisations including Novartis, the NHS and a number of pharmacy chains.

Statements from Leadership 

PocDoc CEO and co-founder, Steve Roest, said: ‘’We are delighted to announce the renewal of our partnership with PATH, to support the scale of rapid PID screening in areas of greatest risk for polio. This is a further step for us in our global expansion, as we continue to focus on solving the biggest global healthcare problems and the first of many US-based partnerships to come. We look forward to continuing development in hopes of deployment of the PocDoc technology in the field alongside PATH in 2023.’’

Roger Peck, Associate Director, PATH Diagnostics, added: “We have been consistently impressed by PocDoc’s team, technology and mission-driven approach and are delighted to be continuing our partnership with them. Improved access to screening for PID, through the use of a developed PID rapid screening test and complementary digital reader can strengthen polio eradication efforts by equipping communities with the necessary tools to identify undiagnosed cases of primary immunodeficiency diseases and thereby limit prolonged shedding of vaccine-derived polio virus into the community.”

The Future of PocDoc and PATH's Collaboration 

The renewal of this partnership represents a significant step in global healthcare efforts to combat polio. With a focus on innovation and accessibility, PocDoc and PATH's collaboration is a promising stride towards the eradication of the disease, providing remote communities with crucial tools and solutions.