Press Releases

LOWELL, MA - Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced $1,000,000 in federal grant funding for Helixbind, Inc., a Marlborough-based company that develops innovative and highly accurate rapid tests for pathogens from small blood samples. The funding is being distributed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - responsible for conducting and supporting research to better respond to infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases - to develop a test for the ultra-sensitive, direct, molecular detection of Borrelia for early Lyme disease. 

“As we continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, we can’t lose sight of the important research and development needed to treat other infectious diseases. I’m proud to announce this funding to another cutting edge company right here in Marlborough. This funding will bolster Helixbind’s efforts to reliably test for the early contraction of Lyme disease and could prove helpful to limiting what can be debilitating, prolonged symptoms,” said Congresswoman Trahan.

To get tested for Lyme disease, it currently requires a two-step testing process. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a majority of Lyme disease tests are designed to detect antibodies to determine if a person is infected. Antibodies can sometimes take weeks to form, meaning someone could test negative early on in their infection. Early detection could prove critical in mitigating what can be long-lasting effects of Lyme disease.

Trahan has been a strong supporter of the National Institutes of Health, which houses the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. During the most recent appropriations negotiations, she advocated for and helped secure $41.1 billion for the NIH in FY 2020, an increase of $2 billion above the 2019 enacted level and $6.9 billion above the President’s budget request. As the House negotiates federal funding for FY 2022, Trahan has already requested an additional $3 billion in funding for NIH.

###