FLC | HJF receives MBio rapid cytokine test system for COVID-19 research

HJF receives MBio rapid cytokine test system for COVID-19 research

June 16, 2020

Boulder, Colorado-based MBio Diagnostics has developed a rapid, quantitative point-of-care test for the inflammatory protein interleukin-6 (IL-6), one participant in the overactive immune response, or cytokine storm, that causes organ damage and fatality from COVID-19. Funding for this effort was provided by the Defense Health Program through the Joint Program Executive Office.

The IL-6 test will be used by researchers from The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) in studies involving COVID-19 patients. Drugs that affect IL-6 binding to cell receptors have been shown to be an effective treatment option for some critically ill COVID-19 patients. The research will use the IL-6 test from MBio to classify patients based on their serum IL-6 levels and use this information to potentially improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

IL-6 plays an important role in inflammation and fever associated with infection. There is increasing medical evidence that in many severe COVID-19 patients, the immune system overreacts, creating what some call a cytokine storm that can cause systemic organ failure and death. The MBio IL-6 test may quickly help clinicians understand which patients are in gravest danger and may require different drugs or other therapeutic interventions.

“HJF is proud to be on the front lines of the global response to COVID-19 by supporting research into a variety of methods to combat this pandemic,” said HJF President and CEO Joseph Caravalho. “Together with our military partners and MBio, HJF is looking forward to testing the effectiveness of the IL-6 test in predicting a propensity for critical illness resulting from COVID-19.”