Hologic Awarded USD 7.6 Million by HHS and DOD to Ramp Up Capacity for COVID-19 Tests

The US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS Washington, D.C., USA) and Department of Defense (DOD Arlington, VA, USA) have awarded an undefinitized contract action with a ceiling of USD 7.6 million to Hologic, Inc. (Marlborough, MA, USA) to expand production of custom sample collection and processing consumables for COVID-19 testing.

The unprecedented demand for molecular diagnostic testing driven by the COVID-19 pandemic had exceeded Hologic’s production capacity for sample collection and processing consumables. The company is well-positioned to support the demand for COVID-19 testing in the US due to the installed base of more than 1,100 fully automated, high throughput Panther and Panther Fusion systems. These Panther systems are each capable of performing more than 1,000 tests in a 24-hour period. The tube, cap, and multi-tube unit consumables are critical for performing molecular diagnostic tests on the Panther and Panther Fusion systems.

Hologic has received ongoing support to develop the COVID-19 test for these systems from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, part of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. The latest investment will increase Hologic's production from 4.8 million COVID-19 tests per month to 6.8 million tests per month. The company is expected to deliver the increased volume of consumables to market by January 2021.

“The Trump Administration’s coordination across the Federal government is important toward the successful execution of our national testing strategy to fight COVID-19,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Health ADM Brett Giroir, M.D. “Hologic’s platform is in high demand, and with this investment, we will be able to improve the supply to laboratories across the country.”