RECENT NEWS
New transplant monitoring partnership for Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories has announced a collaboration agreement with Oncocyte, a precision diagnostics company, to develop and commercialise transplant monitoring products using Bio-Rad’s Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) instruments and reagents.
North West Anglia works with Clinisys to modernise pathology services
North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust has replaced two legacy laboratory information systems with a single instance of Clinisys WinPath. The trust, which serves a catchment of 800,000 patients in North Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire, found itself with two LIMS when it was formed out of the merger of Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals and Hinchingbrooke Health Care in 2017.
Latest research identifies distinct multiple sclerosis endophenotypes
In a transformative study an international team of researchers, led by the University of Münster and Department of Neurology at the University Hospital of Münster, Germany, in collaboration with the German Competence Network Multiple Sclerosis (KKNMS), has made a significant breakthrough in the understanding and potential treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).
£1.7 million for the world’s first vaccine to prevent lung cancer
Researchers at the University of Oxford, the Francis Crick Institute and University College London have been granted £1.7 million of funding from Cancer Research UK and the CRIS Cancer Foundation to develop a lung cancer vaccine.
New WGS developmental test partnership for Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics and whole genome sequencing (WGS) firm Broad Clinical Labs have announced a research collaboration designed to demonstrate the clinical value of WGS as a first-line genetic test for postnatal diagnosis of developmental delay disorders.
WHO prequalification for Cepheid’s point-of-care HIV test
Cepheid’s Xpert HIV-1 Qual XC has been awarded World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification. Inclusion on the prequalification list signifies that Xpert HIV-1 Qual XC meets WHO's stringent performance, quality, safety and reliability standards.
NHS trialling blood tests for dementia
Two expert research teams, one from University College London and the other from Dementias Platform UK at the University of Oxford, will conduct UK-wide clinical trials to identify blood tests to boost dementia diagnosis.
New Synnovis hub laboratory processes first samples
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 launches research-use PCR assay for breast cancer mutation detection
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.
New research identifies blood markers for TB
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 slumps to new record low
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.
Regulatory approval for bioMérieux’s BIOFIRE SPOTFIRE R/ST panel
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 competition winner looks to transform cell culture
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 unveils novel tissue biopsy grossing platform
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.
London pathology staff voting on strike action over hub move
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.
FDA approves Roche’s molecular blood test for malaria
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.
Sarstedt hosts sample transport symposium
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 launches validated antibodies for cell enumeration
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.
Helen Dent appointed as BIVDA Chief Executive
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.
Presymptom Health developing AI-driven sepsis and infection tests for the NHS
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.
Latest Issues
Launch Diagnostics is one of the major independent distributors in the U.K, providing high quality diagnostic reagents and instrumentation from world leading manufacturer’s to the Health Services of the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg and North Africa and to the Republic of Ireland through ACCUSAY Diagnostics.
BSMT 40th Anniversary Microbiology Conference
RAF Museum, Hendon, London NW9 5LL
15 May, 2025
Transforming Digital Pathology & AI: The Path Forward
Royal College Of Physicians Of Edinburgh
15 May, 2025
The 10 Year Plan - Clinical Innovations Expo
Jubilee Hotel and Conference Centre, Nottingham, UK
15 May, 2025
Incorrect Blood Component Transfused: a SHOT webinar
Online
21 May 2025
Near miss reporting and WBIT: a SHOT webinar
Online
9 June 2025