In 2020, the SalivaDirect protocol was developed by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While nasal swabs became the gold-standard diagnostic sample type, supply-chains buckled under the demand for swabs and reagents, healthcare workers were put at risk having to obtain samples, and patients avoided testing due to the discomfort of the standard method.

SalivaDirect was born out of these conditions to aid communities and labs in establishing affordable and equitable SARS-CoV-2 testing programs that leverage their existing resources and improved patient experience.

Due to the flexibility and low-cost of our test, more than 200 laboratories have provided over 6.5 million tests to date across 42 states. SalivaDirect was used in testing programs across various industries to keep K-12 schools, universities, workplaces, and even the National Basketball Association (NBA) open and safe as we returned to a new sense of normalcy.

With disparities in access to testing persisting to this day, we have developed innovative programming and projects to bring testing to those left behind by the U.S. healthcare system.

In order to better support this, we have successfully spun out from Yale University in 2022 into an independent 501(c)3 organization. SalivaDirect, Inc. is a nonprofit that works to develop and deploy diagnostic testing strategies in response to global health challenges. We continue to expand our assay portfolio and deliver innovative testing solutions.

SalivaDirect has:

Delivered more than 1400 tests to over 120 high impact community events across Connecticut through our “lab-in-a-van” partnership with Yale Pathology Labs.
Piloted a vending machine model to deliver test kits throughout rural Oregon in collaboration with Santiam Hospital.
Provided tests during the humanitarian crisis in partnership with Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services (IRIS) to 100+ Afghan refugees relocating to New Haven, CT.
Trained laboratory scientists at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust to use our SalivaDirect protocol to test for respiratory viruses.
Hosted over 50 paid internships for undergraduate and graduate students, training the next generation of public health and diagnostics professionals.

Here are a few ways you can take action today:

Become a monthly donor, contributing to our sustainability as an organization.
Spread the word about SalivaDirect’s campaign within your networks – reshare our Givebutter campaign on your socials using the hashtag #SDIGivingCampaign.
Write one sentence about why you love SalivaDirect, or what you're looking forward to seeing us accomplish: you can send this to russell@salivadirectinc.org. We’ll use these statements to help us promote our fundraising campaign and will provide you with a chance to be featured as a supporter of SalivaDirect Inc. on our social platforms.

Thank you for your support! Together, we will make a difference in expanding equitable access to diagnostic testing.

Shape the Future of Diagnostics

By SalivaDirect Inc.

Shape the Future of Diagnostics

Toward a world where everyone has access to diagnostics.