RECENT NEWS

Synnovis’ new state-of-the-art hub laboratory in Blackfriars Road, London, is now open for business, with the first samples processed at the beginning of April 2024.The new site is at the heart of a programme to deliver and transform pathology services in south east London.

Bio-Rad Laboratories has announced the launch of its first ultrasensitive multiplexed digital PCR assay, the ddPLEX ESR1 Mutation Detection Kit. The assay expands the company’s Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) offering for the oncology market, where highly sensitive and multiplexed mutation detection assays aid translational research, therapy selection, and disease monitoring.

Researchers have taken a major step towards identifying millions of ‘silent spreaders’ of tuberculosis. A new study led by researchers from the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has identified a group of biological markers that are found in high levels among infectious patients.

Public satisfaction with the NHS has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded, according to analysis of the latest British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey published recently by The King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust.

In vitro diagnostics firm bioMérieux has announced that its BIOFIRE SPOTFIRE respiratory/sore throat (R/ST) panel has received both 510(k) clearance from the US FDA and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waiver approval.

INTEGRA Biosciences is delighted to announce that Alt Biotech – an innovative French start-up making waves in the cell culture space – has been chosen as a winner of the 'INTEGRA supports start-ups’ competition.

FormaPath has unveiled nToto, a new automated tissue visualisation system (ATVS) developed in collaboration with Mayo Clinic's Advanced Diagnostics Laboratory. The new system was launched in conjunction with a poster presentation at the United States and Canada Association of Pathologists Annual (USCAP) meeting.

Hundreds of laboratory staff in London are being balloted on strike action over a planned restructure by employer Synnovis, which the Unite union claims is unwanted and damaging.

Roche has announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the cobas Malaria test for use on the cobas 6800/8800 Systems. This approved test can aid healthcare professionals in reducing potential risks of patient infection from transfused blood products. The cobas Malaria test provides a highly sensitive and specific solution to help ensure that infected blood units are removed from the blood supply.

Laboratory supplier Sarstedt hosted a two-day educational Transport Symposium at its Leicester base during March. An audience of NHS managers and biomedical scientists were present for a variety of presentations as well as a hands-on preview of the Tempus600 transport system.

Bio-Rad Laboratories has launched new validated antibodies for rare cell and circulating tumour cell (CTC) enumeration. Validated for use with Bio-Rad’s Celselect Slides Enumeration Stain Kits, the antibodies are specific to CTC surface markers to enable the sensitive and specific identification of target cell populations, enhancing the study of tumour heterogeneity and disease progression at various stages.

The British In Vitro Diagnostic Association (BIVDA) has confirmed the appointment of Helen Dent as Chief Executive, following a successful period as Interim Chief Executive. Helen will lead BIVDA in championing the medical diagnostics industry to politicians, policymakers, media and relevant stakeholders and in supporting members to improve patient outcomes.

UK start-up Presymptom Health has raised £1.5m to help accelerate time to market of its AI-driven sepsis and infection tests - with the company aiming to roll-out its technology to the NHS from mid-2025.

A blood test which could help thousands of people receive earlier, more targeted, lung cancer treatments is being trialled by the NHS. The circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) test, which will be offered to 10,000 patients by next March, can identify genetic variants in a tumour through a simple blood sample.

The National Pathology Imaging Co-Operative (NPIC) is re-running its 2023 educational webinar series on digital pathology, ‘Innovation into Practice’.

Innovate UK is pleased to announce the winners of a funding competition to develop new clinical tools for dementia and neurodegeneration. Ten new projects will receive funding for identification, development and commercialisation of biomarker tools and technologies.

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has launched its new CytoFLEX nano Flow Cytometer – the first purpose-built nanoscale flow cytometer for research use only that enables detection to at least 40 nm, enabling 30-50% more data creation.

Owkin and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) have announced a new five-year research partnership to use artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the screening and diagnosis of a range of diseases, starting with colorectal cancer.

QDx Pathology Services, an independent anatomical, molecular and clinical pathology laboratory serving medical professionals and facilities throughout the United States, is working with Proscia, a leading provider of digital and computational pathology solutions, to innovate its practice. The laboratory has deployed Proscia’s software to enable its pathologists to work faster and more confidently.

A new collaboration between the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and The Pirbright Institute has been launched to support the development of vaccines against Henipavirus – a genus of viruses including Nipah virus. The research has been funded by the Medical Research Council.