Question 1

Is ZAWADI commercially available?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. ZAWADI is a research and development programme. The site describes intended design and evidence work — not a product for sale or clinical diagnosis.

Question 2

Is ZAWADI a replacement for a haemoglobin test?

Accepted Answer

No. Haemoglobin tells you whether anaemia is already present. ZAWADI is designed to sit earlier in the pathway, indicating iron-restricted erythropoiesis through a ZPP-related signal. The two are complementary, and clinical decisions remain with the care team.

Question 3

Does it replace a laboratory iron-status test?

Accepted Answer

The intended screening and confirmatory pathway has not yet been established. Any clinical use would require calibration evidence, usability work, and an appropriate confirmatory pathway defined with clinical partners.

Question 4

How long does a measurement take?

Accepted Answer

The measurement is designed to take roughly 30–60 seconds at the point of care, with no blood draw, lancet, or consumable biohazard waste stream. Final timing depends on prototype validation.

Question 5

Which body site is used?

Accepted Answer

Measurement sites are under evaluation. The earlobe is included in current design exploration alongside other placements suitable for antenatal and community settings.

Question 6

Is the test painless?

Accepted Answer

The concept is non-invasive (no blood draw). Comfort, usability, and repeatability still require formal evaluation with users and clinicians.

Question 7

What stage is the technology at?

Accepted Answer

Early stage and under active development. Current work focuses on calibration evidence, anatomical site comparison, and assembling a Phase 1 readiness package. Regulatory status: Research and development programme — not submitted for regulatory clearance and not offered for clinical diagnosis or commercial use.

Question 8

Has this been published or peer reviewed?

Accepted Answer

No peer-reviewed ZAWADI publication is listed yet. Lab-scale ZPP detection precedent exists (including an MIT student system, 2024) that informs the miniaturisation path. Peer-reviewed write-ups, protocols, and abstracts will be linked as they are released.

Question 9

Who are you piloting with?

Accepted Answer

No named pilot partner is public yet. The beachhead is Rwandan antenatal care. We are actively speaking with clinics, NGOs, and national health programmes about calibration and pilot siting.

Question 10

What does a partnership look like?

Accepted Answer

Common shapes: hosting a calibration or pilot site, co-designing frontline workflow and training, engineering collaboration on optics or embedded systems, regulatory and quality support, or investing in the current de-risking sprint.