Diagnostics company joins global coalition to boost sickle cell care

Diagnostics company Orasure Technologies has joined the World Coalition on Sickle Cell Disease, an international public-private partnership that works to improve care for people affected by sickle cell disease around the globe.

“We are proud to join the World Coalition on Sickle Cell Disease and work alongside people living with sickle cell disease and the broader community to help strengthen the connections between diagnosis and care,” John Bannister, senior director of international sales for Orasure, said in a company press release.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that affects hemoglobin, the protein that red blood cells use to ferry oxygen through the bloodstream. The mutated hemoglobin is prone to forming clumps in blood cells, which deforms the cells into the sickle shape that gives the disease its name.

These abnormal cells are more likely to be destroyed, which can lead to anemia (low red blood cell counts). They can also get stuck in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and leading to painful vaso-occlusive crises.

Sickle cell treatments can help people with the disease manage the condition. But before someone with the disease can access these therapies, they first need to be accurately diagnosed with sickle cell disease. This can be difficult, especially since the disease affects many people in Africa and India who don’t have reliable access to medical care.

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“The value of earlier diagnosis is ultimately measured by what happens next,” Bannister said. “People need clear pathways to appropriate care, supported by trained healthcare workers, effective referral systems, sustainable funding, and access to ongoing treatment.”

Orasure specializes in making point-of-care tests — that is, tests that can deliver a result while the patient is still in the room, without having to send samples to a lab for analysis. The company currently markets tests for a range of viral infections, including HIV, ebola, and COVID-19.

The company also makes products to collect biological samples for certain types of lab tests, and will bring its expertise in diagnostics manufacturing to the collaboration.

The World Coalition on Sickle Cell Disease was established to raise the disease’s profile on the global health agenda, mobilizing sustainable funding and resource allocation for diagnosis and treatment, and improving overall care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Founded in 2020 under the leadership of the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the coalition faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and officially launched in 2023.

“We’re excited to welcome OraSure Technologies as the newest member of the Coalition,” said Mario Ottiglio, the coalition’s secretariat lead. “Their diagnostics expertise will be a valuable addition to our collective efforts, helping advance timely and appropriate diagnosis that connects people to treatment, care, and long-term support.”