Atomo Diagnostics partners with Viatris Healthcare, secures $970k order for HIV self-test kits

Atomo Diagnostics (ASX: AT1) has secured purchase orders from global health partner Viatris Healthcare for approximately $970,000 worth of self-test kits for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The kits will be manufactured by Atomo under the Mylan brand for supply to a number of low and middle-income countries.

The order will be fulfilled during the second half of the current financial year.

Chief executive officer John Kelly said the demand for self-test kits was on the up.

“We have seen growing demand during FY24 […] in Australia as well as across branded versions supplied to international markets,” he said.

“Following significant increases in sales to Europe and Australia, it is good to now see emergent demand across low and middle-income markets from our global health partner for HIV testing, Viatris.”

Pioneering HIV kit

Atomo’s HIV self-test is the only test of its kind to be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

It is the world’s first integrated, blood-based rapid diagnostic test for HIV screening and has been recognised globally for its innovative design, performance and ease-of-use.

The kit provides accurate results within 15 minutes, with a specificity and sensitivity level of 99.6%.

Quarterly sales

During the three-month period to December, Atomo sold over 130,000 HIV self-test units into high-value developed markets in Europe and Australia.

The product was also launched across Tesco supermarkets in the UK and in pharmacies across Germany, supported by an order from UK partner Newfoundland Diagnostics for an additional 220,000 units.

Atomo said a UK launch campaign was now underway to raise HIV awareness and advertise the availability of the self-test kit.

Further expansion into other retail outlets and new markets in the European Union is expected during the remainder of the year.

Australian distribution

In Australia, Atomo has been working with the National Association of People with HIV Australia and social networking app Grindr to promote the distribution of the self-test kits.

Atomo continues to support existing vending machine programs and has started working with state governments to introduce larger programs over the coming months.

Mr Kelly said vending machine roll-out to a wider public audience would allow further grass-roots awareness of Atomo’s brand and product and is expected to generate interest in other test products as they become available in Australia.