Burnet Diagnostics Initiative (BDI)
“The BDI will translate new and existing technologies to practical health solutions and products, and vitally, maximise their accessibility to vulnerable populations.”
Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Director and CEO, Burnet Institute

The Need for Rapid Point-Of-Care Diagnostics

Diagnostics play a critical role in increasing access to quality treatment for those in the developing world, particularly for infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV.

Unfortunately, the majority of those individuals living in rural and remote areas of the developing world have limited access to testing. This is mainly due to logistics, training and equipment challenges associated with many tests in use requiring routine operations in centralised laboratories.

There is a clear need for the development of simple, low-cost and accurate tests that can be operated without associated infrastructure, in the field.

Developing diagnostics that can be easily and effectively operated in remote and rural areas of the developing world is essential to improving the health of poor and vulnerable communities globally.

The BDI is working to fill that gap through the development of rapid point-of-care diagnostics to maximise accessibility.

Our Track Record

Over the last 15 years, Burnet has
developed a number of immunoassay
products, particularly point-of-care (POC)
assays but also lab-based (ELISA) tests
focused on unmet health needs.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV)

Assure IgM (POC) and IgM, total antibody ELISA for hepatitis E

CD4 T-cells (HIV) - VISITECT® CD4

VISITECT CD4 POC test and (Advanced Disease)

BioPoint VL-Plasma®

Pictured is BioPoint VL-Plasma POC test. Text reads: CE-marked August 2020 for plasma separation before viral load testing in resource limited areas.

Our Track Record

Over the last 15 years, Burnet has developed a number of immunoassay
products, particularly point-of-care (POC) assays but also lab-based (ELISA) tests focused on unmet health needs.

Assorted diagnostic tests

Hepatitis E virus (HEV)

Pictured is Assure IgM (POC) and IgM, total antibody ELISA for hepatitis E. Text reads: Assure™ IgM (POC) and IgM, total antibody ELISA tests: licensed to MP BioMedical, Singapore, CE-marked and sold worldwide since 2006.

CD4 T-cells (HIV) - VISITECT® CD4

Pictured is VISITECT CD4 POC test and (Advanced Disease). Text reads: VISITECT® CD4 and VISITECT® CD4 (Advanced Disease) POC tests licensed by Omega Diagnostics, UK. VISITECT® CD4 (Advanced Disease) test is now endorsed by the Global Fund, WHO pre-qualified in September 2020.

BioPoint VL-Plasma®

Pictured is BioPoint VL-Plasma POC test. Text reads: CE-marked August 2020 for plasma separation before viral load testing in resource limited areas.

Current Development Work

Close up of scientist hands holding a diagnostics test.

Disease Elimination

  • COVID-19 diagnosis
  • COVID-19 neutralising antibody screening
  • Hepatitis diagnosis
  • Liver function screening
  • Syphilis diagnosis

Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness

  • COVID-19
  • Zoonotic respiratory infections
  • Measles

Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health

  • Early infant HIV
  • Anaemia
  • Neonatal syphilis
  • Neonatal sepsis

BDI Consulting


Clinical + Analytical
Performance Studies for IVDs

Scientific Advice

View consulting services >


Pictured is BDI Scientific Director Professor Heidi Drummer smiling facing a camera in a lab
Pictured is BDI Scientific Director Professor Heidi Drummer smiling facing a camera in a lab

Cover of BDI brochure with the heading 'Research Translated Into Practice'

Explore our sustainable model for diagnostic development

Download the brochure >

Explore our sustainable model for diagnostic development

Download the brochure >

Cover of BDI brochure with the heading 'Research Translated Into Practice'