Spotting malaria at the earliest possible opportunity is vital, given that symptoms can start showing themselves in as little as a few days. The sooner it is detected, the sooner the person can be treated.

However, current blood testing methods being used may not be detecting malaria quickly enough. Blood samples take time to be fully analysed by a laboratory, which means that by the time the disease is detected, it is already too late. With a rapid diagnostic test solution, accessible outside of clinical settings, we believe we have the capability to take the fight against malaria to the next level.

This is where our saliva-based test, Salva, comes into its own. Through analysing small samples of saliva, which the Plasmodium parasite can be located in, we can quickly establish whether a person has malaria now, or whether they are likely to develop it later.

Not only that but the SMAART (or Saliva-based Malaria Asymptomatic & Asexual Rapid Test to give it its full title) technology in the test can analyse a sample and deliver a readout quickly. In fact, during our trials and research, many readouts were completed in less than 20 minutes. That means that we will have the opportunity to send a person for further treatment such as a vaccination or to antimalarial drugs, before the malaria reaches a terminal stage.

Because our test can be completed quickly without the use of clinical set-ups, it can be carried out outside schools and community centres, and that means that large groups of people can get a diagnosis immediately, reducing the risk of infection spreading even further. Salva’s rapidity also eases the pressure on hospitals as the test can be administered in a person’s own home if required.

We believe that through rapid testing, we can make a diagnosis of malaria smoother and quicker, and save more lives. Along with other malaria treatments, we will achieve our goal of a malaria-free world.