Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center received a $270,591 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) for the period of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2028. The award supports development and clinical validation of a multiplex binding antibody assay for confirmatory Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2 (HSV-1/2) serological diagnosis. The proposed assay combines the advantages of current FDA-authorized binding assays with the multiplex-driven specificity of the University of Washington HSV Western Blot test, addressing critical gaps in current diagnostic capabilities.

The project addresses a significant public health need, as current HSV serological testing relies on a two-step CDC-recommended process utilizing low-specificity screening tests followed by labor-intensive confirmatory assays available at limited reference laboratories. By developing a high-throughput, one-step HSV serology test with improved accessibility and quality, the grant deliverable aims to enhance national and global public health capacity for HSV infection diagnosis and support development of a national HSV prevention program.