Salute e Benessere
Investment of Approx. USD 460,000 for the Development of a Prototype Mpox Detection Test with NIPRO, TBA, Japan Institute for Health Security and others
Mpox is mainly classified into two strains/clades, and infection rates and disease severity vary depending on the type. Locally, diagnostic systems currently available for identifying the clades remain insufficient, and developing simple and rapid diagnostic tests with clade distinguishing capabilities is urgently needed to prevent the further spread of infection.
Against this background, the GHIT Fund will invest approximately 70 million yen ( USD 460,000 ) in the development of a prototype mpox detection test. The project involves NIPRO CORPORATION, a global comprehensive healthcare company in the medical devices and pharmaceuticals; TBA Co., Ltd, a venture company originating from Tohoku University; the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS); the international non-profit organization PATH ( USA ); and the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB). The project seeks to develop a prototype detection test capable of distinguishing clades using the Iso-PAS method—an inexpensive and simple genetic testing technique—and its performance will be evaluated. This will enable easy testing even in facilities with limited infrastructure, facilitating prompt and appropriate treatment while helping to prevent the spread of infection.
The GHIT Fund joined the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R) as a member in September 2025. GloPID-R brings together funders investing in research related to new or re-emerging infectious diseases. The GHIT Fund is the second organization from Japan to join GloPID-R as a member after the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). We will continue to support the development of innovative diagnostic technologies to enable swift responses to future public health challenges.
USD1 = JPY154.10 , the approximate exchange rate on
October 31, 2025 .
Mpox was renamed from monkeypox by WHO in 2022
https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2022-who-recommends-new-name-for-monkeypox-disease WHO: Global Mpox Trends. https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/mpglobal/ (Published on
November 21, 2025 )
WHO: Disease Outbreak News Mox – Democratic Republic of the Congo https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON522 (Published on
June 21, 2024 )
Africa CDC:https://africacdc.org/news-item/mpox-still-a-continental-emergency-africa-cdc-advisory-group-recommends/
(Published on September 4 )
GloPID-R Secretariat receives funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program.
The GHIT Fund is a Japan -based international public-private partnership (PPP) fund that was formed between the Government of
Japan , multiple pharmaceutical companies, the Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GHIT Fund invests in and manages an R&D portfolio of development partnerships aimed at addressing neglected diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases, which afflict the world's vulnerable and underserved populations. In collaboration with global partners, the GHIT Fund mobilizes Japanese industry, academia, and research institutes to create new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases.
https://www.ghitfund.org/en
Appendix: Project Details
ID: G2025-125
3. Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS/ Japan)
4. PATH (USA)
5. Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale
(INRB/ Democratic Republic of the Congo)
[Project design]
The following activities are to be implemented in the project:
1) Development of a prototype Iso-PAS Mpox test kit, and its performance evaluation.
2) Performance study of the prototype kit using clinical specimens from the DRC.
*All amounts are listed at an exchange rate of USD1 = JPY154.10 , the approximate exchange rate on October 31, 2025 .
To learn more about the GHIT Fund's investments, please visit
Investment Overview: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/overview/en
Portfolio: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfolio/en
Advancing Portfolio: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/advancingportfolio/en
Clinical Candidates: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/clinicalcandidates/en
For more information, contact:
Nancy Moss at +1-908-606-8940 or nmoss@burness.com
Mina Ohata at +81-36441-2032 or mina.ohata@ghitfund.org
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