The NDWG was established in 2001 as a platform with focus on promoting the development and adoption of new and modified diagnostic tests. Since then, the Chairs, Core Group, Secretariat, and all the members of the NDWG have contributed significantly to the advances in the field of TB diagnostics. A large pipeline of promising tools has been established, a number of new products for case detection and drug susceptibility testing (DST) have undergone development and field trials and ultimately have been endorsed by WHO for roll-out in high-burden countries. Combined with extensive efforts to strengthen laboratory services and build testing capacity, the introduction of new, rapid diagnostic technologies, including for DST, and their integration into national control programmes have significantly contributed to improving the diagnosis of TB and the identification of drug resistance, thus supporting progress in disease management and control.

The mission of the NDWG is to foster the development and evaluation of new diagnostics for tuberculosis (TB). To support this mission, the NDWG provides strategic direction and serves as a coordination, communication and advocacy platform for effective collaboration of all stakeholders in TB diagnostics research and development towards delivery of new TB tests.