Hepatitis C

Despite the recent advent of a cure, 58 million people are living with chronic HCV globally. Of these, almost 80% live in low- and middle-income countries, with four in every five cases going undiagnosed. Often presenting as asymptomatic for years, the challenge is not so much treatment as it is linking people to it. Split into serology (anti-HCV antibodies) followed by confirmation viremia (HCV RNA) testing, the current diagnostic algorithm is complex and costly, and laboratory infrastructures in high-burden countries are limited. If deadlines for disease eradication are to be met, the development of high-quality, affordable, and accessible point-of-care tests are essential; the FIND Specimen Bank supports this process by hosting a comprehensive collection of biological samples.

Available to academic, non-profit, and commercial research teams, sample types include whole blood, dried blood spot, plasma, and serum. Collections take place at qualified clinics under a protocol approved by an Institutional Review Board and with informed consent from patients.

Request samples

A full list of sample types, characterization and classifications is provided below.

Sample types and categories available*

Specimen type*	Characterization	Volume	Location
Plasma, whole blood	Genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 , 6	1 mL / 0.25 mL	Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, US
Plasma, whole blood	Negative	0.5 mL	Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, US
DBS	Genotype 1, 2, 3, 4	–	Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, US
Serum	Genotype 1, 2, 3, 4	0.5 mL	Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, US

Clinical data, serology status and viral load, as well as HIV and HBV infection status are also available upon request

Request samples

More than a sample supplier

Target product profiles offer important guidance on the minimum and optimal performance/operational characteristics of priority diagnostic tests for HCV. If you would like more information about this, the product development process, or for assistance identifying the number and type of samples needed, please contact our team at specimenbank@finddx.org.