OraSure Gets Federal Contract of as Much as $11 Million for Virus Test

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

OraSure Technologies has received federal funding to develop a Marburg Virus Disease rapid test.

OraSure shares rose in early trading.

The Bethlehem-based company said in a statement today that the initial contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is for $7.5 million over multiple years, with a potential value of $11 million.

That money “funds the development to achieve U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance of a single-use” device to detect antigens “from viruses within the Marburg virus genus.” FDA 510(k) clearance is for medical devices.

Marburg Virus disease can cause severe bleeding and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It is most common in sub-Saharan Africa, and can spread from bats to people and apes. There have been outbreaks in Rwanda and other African countries.

The Marburg virus “has the capacity to cause outbreaks with a fatality rate similar to Ebola,” OraSure Chief Executive Carrie Eglinton Manner said in the statement.

OraSure’s products include the InteliSwab rapid test for Covid.

Shares of OraSure (NASDAQ:OSUR) rose in early trading to $3.99, up from the $3.80 closing price Friday.