Diagnosis remains an essential tool in the fight against COVID-19

What are the current challenges facing the bioMérieux Group?

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of diagnostics in healthcare systems and the value it brings to the implementation of appropriate health policies, optimized patient care, and epidemiological surveillance. This infectious disease outbreak has also highlighted the need to rapidly develop fast and reliable tests, as well as decision-support tools that leverage scientific and clinical data. In this regard, the primary challenge is to drive innovation in the field of diagnostics in order to address these issues related to the major public health topics we tackle, such as the fight against antibiotic resistance.

What impact has the COVID-19 crisis had on your group?

The pandemic has strongly mobilized healthcare stakeholders and sparked a remarkable commitment from our employees, who have worked tirelessly in a spirit of exemplary collaboration to respond to the medical emergency. In just a few months, we developed four complementary molecular biology tests and two serological tests. I would say that we felt useful and committed, and we were able to demonstrate agility. Medical diagnosis has proven its vital importance in the continuum of care. The group’s strong performance in these extraordinary circumstances has enabled us to help those most in need by expanding our philanthropic efforts and establishing an endowment fund.

How will COVID-19 testing evolve?

The situation remains challenging in many countries, and diagnosis continues to be a key element in the fight against the pandemic. In the long term, COVID-19 will continue to be monitored and will be included among the viruses detected in our respiratory panels. The three-pronged approach of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment will be crucial. Diagnosis will play a vital role in vaccination strategies by monitoring the long-term immunity of vaccinated individuals and helping to determine booster strategies over the short and long term. Furthermore, mass vaccination has not yet been extended to all populations worldwide. In some countries, diagnosis remains the primary tool in the fight against the pandemic. Our role as a global player in in vitro diagnostics is to promote access to these diagnostic innovations in low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, we remain constantly vigilant regarding the emergence and evolution of variants. In 2021, we launched a tool to assist in the analysis of sequencing data from positive patient samples, and we remain ready to adapt our tests so that they continue to meet the needs of physicians and laboratory professionals.

How do you analyze current trends in the diagnostics sector?

The pandemic has accelerated one of the major underlying trends in in vitro diagnostics: the decentralization of testing to bring it as close as possible to patients—at local healthcare providers (primary care physicians, pharmacists, nurses, etc.), in public places, or even directly in patients’ homes. Being as close as possible to patients also means taking their needs into account to develop our solutions for the future together with them. That’s why we’re building increasingly close relationships with patient organizations.

What future innovations do you foresee for your industry?

The role played by health data will grow significantly in the coming years. When it comes to diagnosis, data is becoming increasingly voluminous and complex. It also serves as a source of additional information to move toward “augmented” diagnosis and thereby improve patient care.

Technologies are evolving toward greater speed, automation, and integration. This will allow laboratory staff to focus more on high-value-added activities. The digitization of patient health data will facilitate a smoother management of the patient’s care journey. The role of diagnostics will increasingly extend beyond the confines of the laboratory in the strict sense, bringing it closer to physicians and patients. In the field of infectious diseases, we are moving toward personalized medicine, where diagnostics will play a central role—both in the rapid identification of pathogens and in characterizing the host’s response to infection.

Furthermore, we must also succeed in eradicating diseases that remain far too widespread, such as malaria and tuberculosis, for which access to early diagnosis and treatment is key.

What are your expectations for this new partnership with TSE?

With support from bioMérieux, TSE has launched a research initiative on health economics and diagnostic technologies. Our shared goal is to develop innovative insights into economic issues in the field of health and to make these findings accessible to the public. Initially set to last three years, the initiative will focus on antibiotic resistance and the economic evaluation of diagnostic innovation.

What advice would you give to a TSE student?

You’re fortunate to be part of an internationally renowned school with world-class research laboratories. I would tell you to make the most of it, to be curious, to be open to diverse and varied fields of expertise and approaches, and to work collaboratively to find your path and your project—while enjoying yourself and serving the public interest.

This translation is provided for informational purposes only. It has not been verified or approved by the author of the original content. In the event of any discrepancy, the original French version shall prevail.

Useful links:

• TSE Health Center
• Research initiative on joint "diagnostic and therapeutic" model to combat antibiotic resistance with the support of Biomérieux
• All interviews

Published in TSE Reflect December 2023