COVID-19 Changed 'Diagnosis'... "From Laboratory to Patient-Centered"

Bill Rodriguez, CEO of the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] "The lesson learned from the global COVID-19 pandemic is that 'patient-based care' is important. We must provide patient-centered diagnostics."

Bill Rodriguez, CEO of the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), said this during a meeting at the 'World Bio Summit 2022' held on the 26th at the Grand Walkerhill in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. He emphasized the need to change the concept of disease diagnostics after COVID-19.

FIND is a global non-profit organization that supports the development and certification of diagnostic devices in low- and middle-income countries, established in 2003 following the World Health Assembly. During the pandemic, FIND has participated as the lead organization in the diagnostics sector of the WHO-led international cooperation platform ACT-A, leading strategy formulation and practical discussions in this field.

Rodriguez described the traditional diagnostic concept as "laboratory-centered." The basic method involves collecting samples at hospitals, placing them into large analytical devices, and then notifying doctors of the results at the hospital, which is not patient-centered. He said, "(The traditional method) does not fit into patients' daily lives," adding, "Some people may not be able to go to the hospital for diagnosis because there is no one to look after their children, or they may have difficulty receiving results because they do not have a mobile phone."

He explained that the concept of diagnostics has changed globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Typically, developing diagnostic devices takes about 2 to 3 years, but rapid test kits were commercialized within six months after initial development, accelerating innovation during the pandemic. In other words, innovation in diagnostic technology has transformed the laboratory-centered diagnostic approach. Rodriguez said, "The difference now is that individuals can selectively choose when and how to get tested," adding, "This (diagnostic method) can be applied to tuberculosis, malaria, diabetes, and even cancer."

FIND believes this change can help regions with poor access to disease diagnostics. According to the Lancet Commission on Diagnostics, 47% of the global population does not receive diagnostics. Rodriguez explained, "In the poorest countries, it is so difficult to access diagnostics that fewer than one in 100 people can get tested," and "About 4 billion people have limited access to diagnostics because diagnostics have been laboratory-centered."

To achieve the goal of "equal diagnostic rights," FIND collaborates with various companies in Asia, Europe, and Korea. They support the research and development of diagnostic companies to create patient-centered devices. For example, FIND has invested a total of $21 million (approximately 29.925 billion KRW) in developing four new diagnostic platforms, including SD Biosensor and Bioneer. Rodriguez also stated that one of the purposes of his visit to Korea was to support Korean companies with hundreds of millions of dollars to develop diagnostic devices based on new platforms so that these products can be utilized in Africa, Southeast Asia, and other regions.

Rodriguez added that he is striving to find a balance between the profit-driven bio companies and the non-profit goals of FIND. He said, "When companies decide to distribute diagnostic devices, we guarantee some profit through funding support and help them enter the market," adding, "As the market grows, distribution rates increase, so companies will not lose profits." He further explained, "Companies earn profits, but through various analyses, we set entry price caps suitable for each country's level so that people in low- and middle-income countries can use the devices affordably."

FIND has also shared this vision with domestic health authorities. On the morning of the same day, Rodriguez met with Park Min-soo, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, to discuss cooperation plans in the diagnostics field for international public health contributions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.