Devex Op-Ed Highlights Pluslife MiniDock in Global South TB Diagnostic Innovations

Devex has published an opinion piece titled “Global south's TB diagnostics innovations are key to fight the epidemic,” authored by Urvashi B. Singh, Sameer Kumta and Prof. Madhukar Pai. The article discusses how high TB burden countries are under growing pressure as international aid declines, and argues that affordable diagnostic tools developed in the global south are essential to close the TB testing gap and save lives.

The authors review a range of innovations, including new molecular platforms, tongue swab sampling approaches, digital X-ray and AI supported tools that are designed for primary care and community settings. They call for wider use of locally manufactured, context-appropriate solutions so that countries can expand access to high quality TB diagnosis even when resources are constrained.

Within this context, the op-ed mentions Pluslife MiniDock from China as one of several rapid molecular technologies developed in the global south. The article notes that MiniDock has recently been added to the Global Fund’s Expert Review Panel for Diagnostics list for procurement, and highlights how portable, affordable molecular platforms, when combined with easy-to-collect samples such as tongue swabs, can support more patient-friendly and decentralized TB testing pathways.

Looking ahead, Pluslife will continue to actively participate in major TB congresses, training courses and technical events. In parallel, the company will keep strengthening its own work on real-world evidence generation, local capacity building and long-term supply planning. By sharing data on MiniDock and its affordable pricing approach with national TB programmes, implementing partners and front-line providers, Pluslife aims to support evidence-based decision-making and contribute to narrowing the global TB diagnostic gap.

Pluslife welcomes this recognition within a broader ecosystem of global south innovators working to improve access to TB diagnosis, and remains committed to collaborating with partners in high burden and resource-limited settings.

Read the full Devex op-ed here:
Global south's TB diagnostics innovations are key to fight the epidemic