Curative (company)
{{Short description|American health care startup company}}
{{Multiple issues|
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{{Infobox company
| name = Curative Inc.
| logo = Curative_Inc_corporate_logo_2021.png
| type = Private
| industry = Life sciences, biotechnology, medical diagnostics, healthcare industry
| founded = 2020{{cite journal|date= 21 October 2020|title= COVID-19 Testing at Scale while Reimagining Healthcare|url= https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2405-4712%2820%2930367-7|journal= Cell Systems|volume= 11|issue= 4|pages= 329–330|doi= 10.1016/j.cels.2020.09.010|access-date= 15 November 2020|pmc= 7577258|archive-date= 6 April 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230406005659/https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2405-4712(20)30367-7|url-status= live}}
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Fred Turner|Isaac Turner|Vlad Slepnev}}
| defunct =
| hq_location_city = San Dimas, California{{cite news |last=Uranga |first=Rachel |date=26 March 2020 |title='They Are Desperately Trying to Hire': Inside Curative's Race to Produce 10K COVID-19 Test Kits a Day |url=https://dot.la/curative-inc-test-kits-2645575429.html |work=dot.la |location=USA |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021105926/https://dot.la/curative-inc-test-kits-2645575429.html |url-status=live }}
| hq_location_country =
| area_served =
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Fred Turner (CEO)|Isaac Turner (CTO)|Tami Wilson-Ciranna (President, CFO){{cite web |title=Curative Leadership |url=https://curative.com/about-us/leadership |website=Curative |access-date=19 October 2024}}}}
| num_employees = >3000{{cite web |url=https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Curative-EI_IE3509458.11,19.htm |title=Curative Overview |year=2021 |website=Glassdoor |publisher=Glassdoor, Inc. |access-date=19 March 2021 |archive-date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426155628/https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Curative-EI_IE3509458.11,19.htm |url-status=live }}
| num_employees_year = 2021
| parent =
| website = {{URL|curative.com}}
}}
Curative Inc. is a health care startup company best known for scaling COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last=Regardie |first=Jon |date=19 March 2021 |title=What L.A. Got Right and What's Gone Wrong Since the First Safer at Home Order |url=https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/los-angeles-covid-19-year-in-review/ |access-date=24 March 2021 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320020801/https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/los-angeles-covid-19-year-in-review/ |url-status=live }} In September 2022, Curative Inc. launched Curative Insurance Company, a new health insurance plan featuring no copays and no deductibles. Curative is Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with employees throughout the United States.{{cite news |last=Fortson |first=Danny |date=17 May 2020 |title=Oxford dropout's winning test for Covid‑19 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/oxford-dropouts-winning-test-for-covid-19-kj0gnks5r |work=The Times |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117153047/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/oxford-dropouts-winning-test-for-covid-19-kj0gnks5r |url-status=live }} It was an unofficial spinout of the genetic testing lab Shield Bio{{Cite web |last=Elkington |first=Joshua |date=2020-08-04 |title=Axial - Curative |url=https://axial.substack.com/p/axial-curative?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Axial}} and was founded in January 2020 by Fred Turner, Isaac Turner (no relation), and Vlad Slepnev to create new diagnostic tests for sepsis and to improve outcomes for sepsis patients. In response to an urgent, unmet need for COVID-19 test development and production in the United States,{{cite news |author= |date=13 May 2020 |title=Texas deploys self-administered tests to inmates |url=https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/trending/coronavirus-live-updates-us-deaths-top-82000-total-cases-continue-climb-toward-14-million/QCJXO3BDJVGJDIG32BA5WFU5VQ/ |work=Fox 13 News |location=USA |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518224938/https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/trending/coronavirus-live-updates-us-deaths-top-82000-total-cases-continue-climb-toward-14-million/QCJXO3BDJVGJDIG32BA5WFU5VQ/ |url-status=live }} Curative rapidly shifted focus in March 2020.{{cite AV media |people=Jack Fink, Fred Turner |title=Texas Sending 80K Oral Swab Tests For COVID-19 To DOJ |trans-title= |medium=|url=https://dfw.cbslocal.com/video/4551125-texas-sending-80k-oral-swab-tests-for-covid-19-to-doj/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702204015/https://dfw.cbslocal.com/video/4551125-texas-sending-80k-oral-swab-tests-for-covid-19-to-doj/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 July 2021|time= |publisher=CBS News }}{{cite AV media |people=Ashlee Vance, Fred Turner |title=College-Dropout CEO Bets It All on New Covid Test |trans-title= |medium= Video|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2020-06-08/college-dropout-ceo-bets-it-all-on-new-covid-test-video |access-date=16 October 2020 |time= |publisher=Bloomberg News) }} The company's research team developed a new test for SARS-CoV-2 that utilized oral swabs rather than nasopharyngeal swabs.{{cite journal |first1=N|last1=Kojima|first2=F |last2= Turner|first3= V|last3=Slepnev|first4= A |last4= Bacelar|first5= L|last5= Deming|first6= S|last6= Kodeboyina|first7= JD|last7= Klausner |title=Self-Collected Oral Fluid and Nasal Swabs Demonstrate Comparable Sensitivity to Clinician Collected Nasopharyngeal Swabs for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Detection |journal=Clinical Infectious Diseases |year=2021 |volume= 73|issue= 9|pages=e3106–e3109 |doi= 10.1093/cid/ciaa1589|pmid=33075138 |pmc=7665422 }}{{cite journal |last1=Marty |first1=FM |first2=K|last2=Chen|first3=KA|last3=Verrill|date=28 May 2020 |title= How to Obtain a Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimen |journal=The New England Journal of Medicine |volume= 328|issue= 22|pages=376|doi= 10.1056/nejmvcm2010260|pmid=32302471 |s2cid=215809594 |doi-access=free}} The Curative test was designed with a scalable process and opportunities to reduce healthcare worker exposure risk, and therefore the amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) used. An independent manufacturing and supply chain model was adopted to avoid competing with existing COVID-19 test companies for limited supplies and laboratory capacity.{{cite news |last=Farr |first=Christina |date=2 August 2020 |title=Covid-19 testing delays create a public health nightmare as schools and workplaces try to reopen |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/02/covid-19-test-delays-create-health-nightmare-as-schools-try-to-reopen.html |publisher=CNBC |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110022213/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/02/covid-19-test-delays-create-health-nightmare-as-schools-try-to-reopen.html |url-status=live }}
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Curative's SARS-CoV-2 Assay in April 2020.{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/18/curative-received-fda-emergency-use-authorization-for-its-novel-covid-19-tests/ |title=Curative received FDA emergency use authorization for its novel COVID-19 tests |last=Shieber |first=Jonathan |date=18 April 2020 |website=TechCrunch |access-date=27 March 2021 |archive-date=7 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307004324/https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/18/curative-received-fda-emergency-use-authorization-for-its-novel-covid-19-tests/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=James |date=23 April 2020 |title=Air Force signs deal for COVID-19 oral tests |url=https://www.foxnews.com/science/air-force-signs-deal-for-covid-19-oral-tests |publisher=Fox News |location=USA |access-date=21 November 2020 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109053618/https://www.foxnews.com/science/air-force-signs-deal-for-covid-19-oral-tests |url-status=live }} By October 2020, nearly 10% of the SARS-CoV-2 tests performed in the United States had been performed by Curative,{{cite news |last=Dwyer |first=Devin |date=17 October 2020 |title=COVID-19 testing capacity outpacing desire to get swabbed |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/covid-19-testing-capacity-outpacing-desire-swabbed/story?id=73656622 |publisher=ABC News|location=United States |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108043017/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/covid-19-testing-capacity-outpacing-desire-swabbed/story?id=73656622 |url-status=live }} and the company's weekly test processing capacity reached one million tests per week. As of November 2020, Curative had administered more than 2 million tests in the city of Los Angeles,{{cite news |last=Billington |first=Francesca |date=20 November 2020 |title=COVID Testing Won't Make Thanksgiving 'Safe', Experts Warn |url=https://dot.la/as-families-gather-for-thanksgiving-covid-test-demand-surges-2648985669.html |work=dot.la |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120180500/https://dot.la/as-families-gather-for-thanksgiving-covid-test-demand-surges-2648985669.html |url-status=live }} and expanded service offerings to include test site management, test accessibility enhancements (kiosks, mobile vans), and efficient results reporting through proprietary software.
Starting in December 2020, Curative expanded its service to include COVID-19 vaccine distribution, vaccination site management, and vaccine management system for communities in the United States.{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Curative Expands Testing Options For COVID-19, Flu And RSV Across Nationwide Healthcare Delivery Network |url=https://www.thestreet.com/press-releases/curative-expands-testing-options-for-covid-19-flu-and-rsv-across-nationwide-healthcare-delivery-network-15687041 |work=The Street |date=16 June 2021|access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022184520/https://www.thestreet.com/press-releases/curative-expands-testing-options-for-covid-19-flu-and-rsv-across-nationwide-healthcare-delivery-network-15687041 |url-status=live }} As of December 2022, Curative has administered over 35 million tests and administered 2 million vaccines through a network of affiliated providers.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
In Q3 of 2022, Curative began the process of shutting down its COVID-19 testing business while simultaneously launching an employer-based health insurance offering**. Utilizing a new model for health insurance, the Curative plan has one monthly premium, and there are no additional costs for accessing medical services and most pharmaceuticals within their broad-based physician network and extensive drug formulary*. The health insurance plan is designed to focus on preventative care and total well-being through proactive relationship management for members. The PPO-network health insurance plan launched in late September 2022 out of Austin, Texas, with plans to expand across other areas of the state in 2023.
As of 31 December 2022, Curative has shut down its COVID-19 services business. In 2023, the company fully shifted its operations to its health insurance business.
History
In January 2020, Fred Turner, Isaac Turner (no relation), and Vlad Slepnev co-founded Curative, Inc. to create new diagnostic tools for the detection and management of sepsis. In response to nationwide (US) shortages of diagnostic test kits, laboratory testing capacity, and personal protective equipment (PPE) available to healthcare workers, the company abruptly pivoted to focus on COVID-19 in March 2020.{{cite news |last=Uranga |first=Rachel |date=28 October 2020 |title=GoodRx Is Named Startup of the Year at dot.LA Summit Awards |url=https://dot.la/dot-la-summit-award-winners-2648520368/particle-9 |work=dot.la |location=USA |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127170103/https://dot.la/dot-la-summit-award-winners-2648520368/particle-9 |url-status=live }} Curative developed a self-collected oral fluid swab{{cite web |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/05/05/1001024/can-the-us-ramp-up-coronavirus-testing-california-will-provide-clues/ |title=Can the US ramp up coronavirus testing? California will provide clues. |last=Temple |first=James |date=5 May 2020 |website=MIT Technology Review |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128221945/https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/05/05/1001024/can-the-us-ramp-up-coronavirus-testing-california-will-provide-clues/ |url-status=live }} as an alternative sample collection method,{{cite web |url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/safety-quality/easier-use-covid-saliva-tests-start-catch |title=Easier-to-use COVID saliva tests start to catch on |last=Tuller |first=David |date=6 October 2020 |website=Modern Healthcare |publisher=Crain Communications |access-date=17 November 2020 |archive-date=5 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105165748/https://www.modernhealthcare.com/safety-quality/easier-use-covid-saliva-tests-start-catch |url-status=live }} an orthogonal supply chain approach{{cite news |last=Tapp |first=Tom |date=6 July 2020 |title=Los Angeles Coronavirus Update: Sean Penn's CORE And Test Company Curative Step in to Meet Increased Demand at Dodger Stadium Testing Site – Updated |url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/los-angeles-coronavirus-dodger-stadium-testing-site-closed-positivity-rate-jumps-1202978672/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=21 November 2020 |archive-date=6 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206035621/https://deadline.com/2020/07/los-angeles-coronavirus-dodger-stadium-testing-site-closed-positivity-rate-jumps-1202978672/ |url-status=live }} to avoid competing with other SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 test kit and laboratory analysis providers, created the Curative SARS-CoV-2 Assay, and began field tests using supervised self-collection in Los Angeles and Long Beach (California) in March.{{cite news |last=Hale |first=Conor |date=20 April 2020 |title=FDA greenlights oral fluid test for COVID-19 |url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/fda-greenlights-oral-fluid-test-for-covid-19 |work=Fierce Biotech |location=USA |access-date=21 November 2020 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128112446/https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/fda-greenlights-oral-fluid-test-for-covid-19 |url-status=live }} In early April, Curative contacted UK government officials, offering to supply 50,000 test kits per week.{{cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=29 April 2020 |title=UK turned down offer of 10,000 tests a day four weeks ago |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/29/uk-turned-down-offer-of-10000-coronavirus-tests-a-day-four-weeks-ago |work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=15 November 2020 |archive-date=8 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108134508/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/29/uk-turned-down-offer-of-10000-coronavirus-tests-a-day-four-weeks-ago |url-status=live }}
The company's novel RT-PCR-based Curative SARS-CoV-2 Assay received FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in April 2020.{{cite news |last=Shieber |first=Jonathan |date=18 April 2020 |title=Curative received FDA emergency use authorization for its novel COVID-19 tests |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/curative-received-fda-emergency-authorization-134158754.html?guccounter=1 |publisher=Yahoo Finance |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406005659/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/curative-received-fda-emergency-authorization-134158754.html?guccounter=1 |url-status=live }} At the time the EUA was issued, tests were processed through a partnership between Curative and KorvaLabs;{{cite news |last=Uranga |first=Rachel |date=13 March 2020 |title=L.A. Venture Capital Firm MarsBio Scrambles to Secure Cash, Resources for Coronavirus Vaccines, Test Kits |url=https://dot.la/coronavirus-vaccine-test-venture-capital-2645472110.html |work=dot.la |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031013243/https://dot.la/coronavirus-vaccine-test-venture-capital-2645472110.html |url-status=live }} the testing capacity was 5,000 tests per day, and the test kit manufacturing capacity was 20,000 per day. Later in April 2020, the United States Department of Defense signed a US$13M agreement with Curative to source Curative SARS-CoV-2 Assay kits for Air Force use, to establish a new laboratory facility with testing capacity of 50,000 tests per day within one week of signing, and to establish additional test locations across the US at a later date. By October 2020, the company had expanded operations, processing nearly 10% of the COVID-19 tests performed in the United States.{{cite news |author= |date=18 October 2020 |title=Wellness -- Inside one of the largest COVID-19 testing labs |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/video/largest-covid-19-testing-labs-home-testing-kits-73679838 |work=Good Morning America |location=USA |access-date=27 March 2021 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322200908/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/video/largest-covid-19-testing-labs-home-testing-kits-73679838 |url-status=live }} As of March 2021, Curative operated COVID-19 testing laboratories in San Dimas (California), Austin (Texas), and Washington, D.C.{{cite news |last=Capritto |first=Amanda |date=21 March 2021 |title=Where to get a COVID-19 test for travel |url=https://www.cnet.com/health/where-to-get-a-covid-19-test-for-travel/ |publisher=CNET |access-date=27 March 2021 |archive-date=26 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326135724/https://www.cnet.com/health/where-to-get-a-covid-19-test-for-travel/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/12/10/curative-covid-testing-hopkins-students/ |title=Testing Their Mettle |last=de Nobel |first=Jacob |date=10 December 2020 |website=Johns Hopkins University |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Office of Communications |access-date=27 March 2021 |archive-date=22 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422015258/https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/12/10/curative-covid-testing-hopkins-students/ |url-status=live }}
After the Emergency Use Authorization had been issued, health care workers used Curative SARS-CoV-2 Assay to observe, direct, self-collect oral and nasal swabs, and subsequent laboratory analysis. The Curative SARS-CoV-2 Assay were implemented for medical diagnostic programs in the United States, including United States Armed Forces operations, prisons,{{cite news |last=McCullough |first=Jolie |date=14 May 2020 |title=Texas is spending $45 million on new coronavirus tests that prisoners are administering to themselves: The state purchased 300,000 oral swab tests from a months-old California company. So far, only highly-infected prisons are using them for mass testing |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/14/texas-prisons-coronavirus-tests-curative/ |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125031611/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/14/texas-prisons-coronavirus-tests-curative/ |url-status=live }} state-wide nursing home, long-term care facilities,{{cite news |author= |date=9 August 2020 |title=Florida nursing homes to get rapid COVID-19 tests |url=https://www.wftv.com/news/local/florida-nursing-homes-get-rapid-covid-19-tests/TWWPY2RGSRBY5IP2APAWM5CPKM/ |publisher=WFTV |location=Florida, USA |access-date=17 November 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005221305/https://www.wftv.com/news/local/florida-nursing-homes-get-rapid-covid-19-tests/TWWPY2RGSRBY5IP2APAWM5CPKM/ |url-status=live }} city-wide centers, regional testing centers,{{cite news |last=Chandler |first=Jenna |date=4 January 2021 |title=Diagnostics Startup Curative Is Testing Thousands of Angelenos for Covid Every Day |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2021/jan/04/diagnostics-startup-curative-testing-thousands/ |work=Los Angeles Business Journal |access-date=27 March 2021 |archive-date=8 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508045031/https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2021/jan/04/diagnostics-startup-curative-testing-thousands/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Pratt |first=Gregory |date=11 May 2020 |title=Chicago to open six more testing sites in neighborhoods, will work with actor Sean Penn's charity to try reaching goal of 10,000 tests per day |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-testing-lightfoot-20200511-jmahvxus5fhhxdilceqvrrfmz4-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=5 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105141720/https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-testing-lightfoot-20200511-jmahvxus5fhhxdilceqvrrfmz4-story.html |url-status=live }} state-wide testing programs,{{cite news |last=Osborne |first=Peter |date=11 May 2020 |title=Businesses wait to see if $30M test expansion spurs reopening |url=https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/news/curative-test-kit-delaware-business/ |work=Delaware Business Times |location=USA |access-date=21 March 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414205241/https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/news/curative-test-kit-delaware-business/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Schmidt |first=Sophia |date=15 May 2020 |title=Taking COVID-19 testing to a new level |url=https://www.delawarepublic.org/post/taking-covid-19-testing-new-level |work=Delaware Public Media |access-date=18 November 2020 |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519211930/https://www.delawarepublic.org/post/taking-covid-19-testing-new-level |url-status=live }} and airports.{{cite news |author= |date=18 November 2020 |title=Lightfoot, CDPH announce new COVID-19 testing site at Midway Airport, winterization plan |url=https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/lightfoot-cdph-announce-new-covid-19-testing-site-at-midway-airport-winterization-plan |work=Fox32 |access-date=22 November 2020 |archive-date=24 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124203403/https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/lightfoot-cdph-announce-new-covid-19-testing-site-at-midway-airport-winterization-plan |url-status=live }} The company partnered with universities to provide on-campus testing to students and/or student athletes (Texas A&M,{{cite news |last=Helker |first=Jacob |date=14 July 2020 |title=Texas A&M system makes COVID-19 testing available to students, faculty, staff |url=https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/texas-am-system-makes-covid-19-testing-available-to-students-faculty-staff |work=ABC7 News |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=15 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715091647/https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/texas-am-system-makes-covid-19-testing-available-to-students-faculty-staff |url-status=live }} Florida A&M (Bragg Stadium),{{cite news |last=Skerritt |first=Andrew |date=14 October 2020 |title=FAMU Bragg Stadium COVID-19 Site Announces Operational Changes |url=http://www.famunews.com/2020/10/famu-bragg-stadium-covid-19-site-announces-operational-changes/ |work=FAMU Forward |location=Florida |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025081648/http://www.famunews.com/2020/10/famu-bragg-stadium-covid-19-site-announces-operational-changes/ |url-status=live }} Western New Mexico University,{{cite news |author= |date=19 November 2020 |title=Western New Mexico University acquiring rapid testing for COVID-19 |url=https://www.demingheadlight.com/story/news/2020/11/19/western-new-mexico-university-acquiring-rapid-testing-covid-19/3764060001/ |work=Deming Headlight |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119214719/https://www.demingheadlight.com/story/news/2020/11/19/western-new-mexico-university-acquiring-rapid-testing-covid-19/3764060001/ |url-status=live }} Our Lady of the Lake{{cite news |last=Speelman |first=Eric |date=November 2020 |title=OLLU, Curative bring COVID test site to campus |url=https://lakefrontollu.com/ollu-curative-bring-covid-test-site-to-campus/ |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119234840/https://lakefrontollu.com/ollu-curative-bring-covid-test-site-to-campus/ |url-status=live }}).
In July 2020, the United States Department of Defense awarded a CARES Act-funded contract (US$42M) to Curative to provide 250,000 test kits for use at more than 100 military treatment facilities, and analysis and reporting services at Curative's high throughput laboratory.{{cite web |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2296901/dod-announces-contract-for-250000-curative-inc-covid-19-test-kits/ |title=DOD Announces Contract for 250,000 Curative Inc. COVID-19 Test Kits |author= |date=31 July 2020 |website=defense.gov |publisher=United States Department of Defense |access-date=21 November 2020 |archive-date=21 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121190256/https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2296901/dod-announces-contract-for-250000-curative-inc-covid-19-test-kits/ |url-status=live }}
In August, Florida officials signed a contract with Curative to provide COVID-19 testing services for staff at nursing home and long-term care facilities located throughout the state. Using a biweekly testing schedule, the test positivity rate for staff members decreased from 3% to 1%.{{cite news |last=Sexton |first=Christine |date=16 September 2020 |title=Florida cuts back on some nursing home safeguards that protected sites from COVID |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-nsf-florida-halts-nursing-home-safeguards-20200916-ulrtnwrprjbtvnhje3nugzsfwa-story.html |work=Sun-Sentinel |location=Florida, USA |access-date=20 November 2020 |archive-date=21 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921131902/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-nsf-florida-halts-nursing-home-safeguards-20200916-ulrtnwrprjbtvnhje3nugzsfwa-story.html |url-status=live }} The state later decided not to renew the contract following a federal government decision to ship rapid antigen detection test kits directly to facilities.{{cite news |last=Sexton |first=Christine |date=1 October 2020 |title=Nursing homes, firm plan staff COVID-19 testing |url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2020/10/01/nursing-homes-firm-plan-staff-covid-19-testing/ |publisher=WJXT |location=Florida, USA |access-date=19 November 2020 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020181751/https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2020/10/01/nursing-homes-firm-plan-staff-covid-19-testing/ |url-status=live }} Subsequently, "a majority of the state's 694 nursing homes" entered into agreements with Curative to resume testing of staff and expand testing to include residents.
In January 2021, the FDA released a Safety Communication warning the public of the risk of false negative results with the Curative test.{{cite web |url=https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/risk-false-results-curative-sars-cov-2-test-covid-19-fda-safety-communication |title=Risk of False Results with the Curative SARS-Cov-2 Test for COVID-19: FDA Safety Communication |author= |date=4 January 2021 |website=fda.gov |publisher=Food and Drug Administration |access-date=12 March 2021 |archive-date=4 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104191302/https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/risk-false-results-curative-sars-cov-2-test-covid-19-fda-safety-communication |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Fabiano |first=Amelia |date=8 January 2021 |title=FDA warns about risk of false-negative results with Curative COVID-19 tests |url=https://nbc-2.com/news/2021/01/07/fda-warns-about-risk-of-false-negative-results-with-curative-covid-19-tests/ |publisher=NBC News |location=USA |access-date=25 March 2021 |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111072524/https://nbc-2.com/news/2021/01/07/fda-warns-about-risk-of-false-negative-results-with-curative-covid-19-tests/ |url-status=live }} The communication restated the patient populations, test uses, and other conditions that were previously validated and allowed under the original Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).{{cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2021/fda_issues_safety_communication_about_risk_of_false_results_with_curative_sars-cov-2_test_for_covid-19.html |title=FDA Issues Safety Communication about Risk of False Results with the Curative SARS-CoV-2 Test for COVID-19 |author= |date=6 January 2021 |publisher=Centres for Disease Control and Prevention |access-date=15 March 2021 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321151326/https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2021/fda_issues_safety_communication_about_risk_of_false_results_with_curative_sars-cov-2_test_for_covid-19.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Stephanie M. |date=15 January 2021 |title=The FDA Warned Curative's Popular COVID Test Could Be Faulty. Here's What We Know So Far |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemlee/fda-curative-coronavirus-test-false-negatives |work=BuzzFeed |access-date=22 March 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411230703/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemlee/fda-curative-coronavirus-test-false-negatives |url-status=live }}
In late 2020, Curative piloted a drive-through influenza vaccine clinic at an existing Los Angeles SARS-CoV-2 testing site to evaluate the potential community benefits of combining large scale testing and vaccination services.{{cite journal |last1=Kojima |first1=Noah |last2=Turner |first2=Isaac|last3=Klausner|first3=Jeffrey D. |date=18 February 2021 |title= The Covid-19 Vaccine-Development Multiverse|journal=The New England Journal of Medicine|volume=384 |issue= 7|pages= 681–2|doi= 10.1056/NEJMc2034838|s2cid=231768387 |doi-access=free|pmid=33503338 }} In December 2020, Curative began COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Los Angeles.{{cite web |url=https://covid19.lacounty.gov/covid19-news/l-a-county-city-l-a-curative-announce-partnership-vaccinate-residents-staff-nursing-homes/#:~:text=Los%20Angeles%20County%20today%20announced,SNFs)%20in%20Los%20Angeles%20County |title=L.A. County, City of L.A., Curative Announce Partnership to Vaccinate Residents and Staff at Nursing Homes |author= |year=2020 |website=County of Los Angeles, California |publisher=County of Los Angeles, California |access-date=19 March 2021 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320110126/https://covid19.lacounty.gov/covid19-news/l-a-county-city-l-a-curative-announce-partnership-vaccinate-residents-staff-nursing-homes/#:~:text=Los%20Angeles%20County%20today%20announced,SNFs)%20in%20Los%20Angeles%20County |url-status=live }} By February 2021, the company's vaccine distribution and vaccine clinic management service had expanded to sites in California,{{cite news |last=Masciadrelli |first=Mike |date=28 January 2021 |title=Curative COVID vaccine running Eastfield Mall site is ready for opening day |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/health/coronavirus-local-impact/company-running-eastfield-mall-vaccination-site-ready-for-opening-day/ |work=WWLP news |location=Springfield, Massachusetts, USA |access-date=22 March 2021 |archive-date=21 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221022313/https://www.wwlp.com/news/health/coronavirus-local-impact/company-running-eastfield-mall-vaccination-site-ready-for-opening-day/ |url-status=live }} Delaware,{{cite web |url=https://news.delaware.gov/2021/02/09/governor-carney-dph-dema-announce-updates-on-covid-19-vaccination-program/ |title=Governor Carney, DPH, DEMA Announce Updates on COVID-19 Vaccination Program |author= |date=9 February 2021 |website=Delaware.gov |access-date=24 March 2021 |archive-date=2 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302211348/https://news.delaware.gov/2021/02/09/governor-carney-dph-dema-announce-updates-on-covid-19-vaccination-program/ |url-status=live }} Florida, Massachusetts,{{cite news |first2=Briceyda |last2=Landaverde |last1=Trowbridge |first1=Ryan |date=3 March 2021 |title=Curative responds to President Biden's vaccination goal |url=https://www.westernmassnews.com/news/curative-responds-to-president-bidens-vaccination-goal/article_8f791f86-7c6a-11eb-90f6-7b70679fa718.html |work=westernmassnews.com |access-date=24 March 2021 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321051527/https://www.westernmassnews.com/news/curative-responds-to-president-bidens-vaccination-goal/article_8f791f86-7c6a-11eb-90f6-7b70679fa718.html |url-status=live }} Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas.{{cite web |url=https://www.roundrocktexas.gov/news/dell-diamond-to-serve-as-covid-19-vaccination-site/ |title=Dell Diamond to serve as COVID-19 vaccination site: Round Rock Express partner with Curative, Williamson County to distribute vaccine at no cost |author= |date=11 March 2021 |website=Round Rock, Texas |publisher=City of Round Rock |access-date=19 March 2021 |archive-date=11 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311170154/https://www.roundrocktexas.gov/news/dell-diamond-to-serve-as-covid-19-vaccination-site/ |url-status=live }}
Products
=Curative SARS-CoV-2 Assay=
The Curative SARS-CoV-2 Assay is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) for COVID-19. The test was designed to be scalable in response to changes in demand, and uses a healthcare worker observed, self-collected oral fluid swab to obtain specimens for testing. During the self-collection procedure, a person coughs before swabbing the inside of their mouth to collect oral fluid for testing; the cough serves to release virus (if present) from the respiratory tract. The self-collected oral fluid swab method is less invasive than the nasopharyngeal swab method, reduces the risk to healthcare workers by eliminating close contact, and reduces the need to change PPE frequently. The reduction in PPE usage was an advantage during the global shortage of medical materials related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In July 2021, Curative switched over to using Abbott's Alinity m SARS-CoV-2 Assay and requested the FDA revoke EUA clearance for its original test.{{cite news|date=17 July 2021|title=FDA revokes approval of Curative COVID-19 test|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-07-16/fda-revokes-approval-curative-covid-19-test|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=17 July 2021|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717020125/https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-07-16/fda-revokes-approval-curative-covid-19-test|url-status=live}}
File:Curative COVID-19 testing site (Boyes Hot Springs, California) - 2021-10-20 - Sarah Stierch.jpg in 2021.]]
=Accessible testing=
After developing a scalable SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test and laboratory facilities, Curative worked to make COVID-19 testing as accessible as possible.{{cite news |last=Uranga |first=Rachel |date=20 July 2020 |title=Beyond Drive-Thrus: Why Curative Wants to Take COVID Testing to Mobile Vans and Vending Machines |url=https://dot.la/curative-kiosk-covid-testing-2646437371/particle-2 |work=dot.LA |location=USA |access-date=24 March 2021 |archive-date=17 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517123953/https://dot.la/curative-kiosk-covid-testing-2646437371/particle-2 |url-status=live }} The company partnered with cities, regions, and states across the United States, setting up and managing different types of testing sites (including drive-through, mobile vans,{{cite news |last=Gross |first=Kristi |date=12 February 2021 |title='Open for all': Local Sikh temples to host COVID-19 testing vans |url=https://fox40.com/news/local-news/open-for-all-local-sikh-temples-to-host-covid-19-testing-vans/ |work=Fox40 (Fox News) |location=California, USA |access-date=22 March 2021 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225112400/https://fox40.com/news/local-news/open-for-all-local-sikh-temples-to-host-covid-19-testing-vans/ |url-status=live }} kiosks, and walkup{{cite news |author= |date=2 June 2021 |title=Clay County extends vaccine partnership with Curative |url=https://www.claytodayonline.com/stories/community-briefs-060321,27219 |work=Clay Today |location=Florida, USA |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604164719/https://www.claytodayonline.com/stories/community-briefs-060321,27219 |url-status=live }} locations) in an effort to reach general and at-risk populations. As of October 2021, Curative managed 16,557 testing sites nationwide, including mobile van, kiosk, walk-up, and drive-through sites.{{cite web |title=Sclae – Impact Report |url=https://impact.curative.com/impact-report/scale/ |website=Official website – Curative |access-date=2021-10-22 |archive-date=2021-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022184812/https://impact.curative.com/impact-report/scale/ |url-status=live }}
=Vaccinations=
In late 2020, Curative became one of the first companies to administer COVID-19 vaccines in Los Angeles, after vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna became publicly available in the United States. Curative used the scaling principles that enabled it to quickly create mass and mobile COVID-19 testing capabilities to create a vaccine distribution and vaccination management strategy.{{cite news |last1=Darmiento |last2=Petersen |first2=Melody |first1=Laurence |date=24 March 2021 |title=COVID-19 turned a tiny start-up into a testing giant. But can its results be trusted? |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-03-24/curative-covid-19-coronavirus-fred-turner-pcr-testing-fda-cdc |work=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles |access-date=24 March 2021 |archive-date=24 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324131457/https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-03-24/curative-covid-19-coronavirus-fred-turner-pcr-testing-fda-cdc |url-status=live }} As of February 2021, the company had partnered with communities in California, Delaware, Florida,{{cite news |last=Guerrero |first=Andrea |date=16 May 2021 |title=New vaccination site to open in Cape Coral |url=https://www.winknews.com/2021/05/15/new-vaccination-site-to-open-in-cape-coral/ |publisher=WINK-TV |location=Florida, USA |access-date=1 June 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215634/https://www.winknews.com/2021/05/15/new-vaccination-site-to-open-in-cape-coral/ |url-status=live }} Massachusetts, Michigan,{{cite news |last=Fonger |first=Ron |date=11 May 2021 |title=Genesee County replacing two COVID-19 vaccination mega sites with one |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2021/05/genesee-county-replacing-two-covid-19-vaccination-mega-sites-with-one.html |work=mlive.com |location=Michigan, USA |access-date=2 June 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215926/https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2021/05/genesee-county-replacing-two-covid-19-vaccination-mega-sites-with-one.html |url-status=live }} Pennsylvania,{{cite news |last=Larussa |first=Tony |date=24 May 2021 |title=Covid vaccination clinic in Franklin Park booking appointments online |url=https://triblive.com/local/north-hills/covid-vaccination-clinic-in-franklin-park-booking-appointments-online/ |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |location=USA |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524210848/https://triblive.com/local/north-hills/covid-vaccination-clinic-in-franklin-park-booking-appointments-online/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Wadas |first=Amy |date=13 May 2021 |title=Laser Show Set Up at Canonsburg COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic |url=https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/05/13/laser-show-set-up-at-canonsburg-covid-19-vaccine-clinic/ |publisher=KDKA-TV |location=USA |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604161220/https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/05/13/laser-show-set-up-at-canonsburg-covid-19-vaccine-clinic/ |url-status=live }} and Texas,{{cite news |last=Camacho |first=Brenda |date=12 March 2021 |title=City partners with Curative to administer vaccines |url=https://www.kgns.tv/2021/03/12/city-partners-with-curative-to-administer-vaccines/ |publisher=KGNS-TV |location=Laredo, Texas |access-date=27 March 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924082827/https://www.kgns.tv/2021/03/12/city-partners-with-curative-to-administer-vaccines/ |url-status=live }} administering vaccinations across 170 sites. Vaccination sites operated by the company include traditional, large scale (also known as mass vaccination), drive-through, and mobile vans.{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Katie |date=13 April 2021 |title=Curative opens mobile testing sites in Canonsburg, North Strabane |url=https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/curative-opens-mobile-testing-sites-in-canonsburg-north-strabane/article_d801c3ba-9bbf-11eb-94b8-4f069b54110e.html |work=Observer–Reporter |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604161941/https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/curative-opens-mobile-testing-sites-in-canonsburg-north-strabane/article_d801c3ba-9bbf-11eb-94b8-4f069b54110e.html |url-status=live }}
Awards
In 2020, Curative, Inc. was named a LinkedIn Top Startup,{{cite web |last=Hempel |first=Jessi |date=22 September 2020 |title=LinkedIn Top Startups 2020: The 50 U.S. companies on the rise. |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-top-startups-2020-50-us-companies-rise-jessi-hempel/ |publisher=LinkedIn |access-date=11 November 2020 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722002436/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-top-startups-2020-50-us-companies-rise-jessi-hempel/ |url-status=live }} and was the recipient of the 2020 dot.LA Summit Award "Pivot of the Year". In 2021, Curative was named Best Medtech Startup in the Medtech Breakthrough Awards,{{cite web |url=https://medtechbreakthrough.com/2021-winners/ |title=2021 Winners |author= |year=2021 |website=medtechbreakthrough.com |publisher=MedTech Breakthrough Awards |access-date=3 June 2021 |archive-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614161626/https://medtechbreakthrough.com/2021-winners/ |url-status=live }} was a finalist in the Pandemic Response category, and received an honorable mention in the Health category as part of our 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards by Fast Company.{{cite web |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90624513/world-changing-ideas-awards-2021-pandemic-response-finalists-and-honorable-mentions |title=World Changing Ideas Awards 2021: Pandemic Response Finalists and Honorable Mentions |author= |date=4 May 2021 |website=Fast Company |publisher=Mansueto Ventures LLC |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=1 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601233816/https://www.fastcompany.com/90624513/world-changing-ideas-awards-2021-pandemic-response-finalists-and-honorable-mentions |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90619564/world-changing-ideas-awards-2021-health-finalists-and-honorable-mentions |title=World Changing Awards 2021: Health Finalists and Honorable Mentions |date=4 May 2021 |website=Fast Company |publisher=Mansueto Ventures LLC |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=31 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531061449/https://www.fastcompany.com/90619564/world-changing-ideas-awards-2021-health-finalists-and-honorable-mentions |url-status=live }} The company also received an honorable mention for Fast Company's Best Place to Work for Innovators Award.{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Five large companies earn Best Workplaces for Innovators recognition |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90659140/best-workplaces-innovators-2021-large |work=Fast Company |date=4 August 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022184811/https://www.fastcompany.com/90659140/best-workplaces-innovators-2021-large |url-status=live }}
References
'*A Baseline Visit is required of members in order to qualify for no copays and no deductibles for in-network care and preferred prescriptions throughout the calendar year.
'** Curative Insurance Company
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{official website|https://www.curative.com}}
- [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2020-06-08/college-dropout-ceo-bets-it-all-on-new-covid-test-video Bloomberg Businessweek Hello World Episode]
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Category:Technology companies established in 2020
Category:American companies established in 2020
Category:Chemical companies of the United States
Category:Medical technology companies of the United States
Category:Privately held companies based in California
Category:Health care companies based in California