Egyptian biotech startup Reme-D has secured $500,000 in funding from the Global Innovation Fund to expand production and distribution of its room-temperature stable molecular diagnostic kits across Africa, the company said on Tuesday.
Founded in 2022 by nanotechnology researcher Salma Tammam, Reme-D was initially developed as part of a government-backed effort to address shortages of PCR testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has since pivoted toward tackling broader diagnostic gaps in emerging markets.
Traditional PCR tests require constant refrigeration, posing challenges in regions with unreliable electricity. Reme-D uses freeze-drying and nanotechnology to stabilise reagents at room temperature for extended periods, reducing dependency on cold-chain logistics.
The company says its kits can cut diagnostic costs by up to 40% compared with imported alternatives, while maintaining clinical accuracy of 95% sensitivity and 98% specificity. Its products are also tailored to detect local pathogen variants.
Reme-D currently operates in Egypt, Iraq, Sudan and Kenya, with early deployments in Nigeria and Libya. It processes around 50,000 tests monthly across 92 hospitals and laboratories in Egypt and has tested more than 500,000 patients to date.
The startup previously raised about $1 million, including backing from the Oman Technology Fund.
Adoption has been particularly strong in blood banks, where Reme-D’s technology has shortened screening times by enabling direct molecular testing of donated blood, replacing slower two-step processes.
Despite growing demand, the company faces production and regulatory challenges. While its facility in Egypt can produce up to 12 million tests per month, packaging constraints currently limit output to about 130,000 units. Reme-D plans to expand capacity later this year.
Regulatory fragmentation across African markets also remains a barrier, with approval processes varying widely and often favouring established international manufacturers.
Tammam said investor skepticism toward African biotech firms has been an additional hurdle. The company recently received the Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award, which included a €25,000 grant.
Reme-D plans to use the new funding to scale operations and support commercial expansion into Nigeria and Libya, while advancing research into diagnostics for cancer, genetic disorders and maternal health.