RECENT NEWS

The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) is to reclassify the highest risk in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices, saying it is aiming to increase competition and increase access.

Aston University has hosted an event to celebrate the launch of SPARK The Midlands, a network which aims to bridge the gap between medical research discoveries of novel therapeutics, medical devices and diagnostics, and real-world clinical use.

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics will unveil its new DxC 500 AU Chemistry Analyzer, an automated clinical chemistry analyser, at Medlab Middle East in Dubai, taking place 5-8 February. The new analyser expands the company’s portfolio with proven Six Sigma performance and aims to complement hub laboratories by advancing the capabilities of satellite and independent community hospital sites.

The use of a blood biomarker test in a new diagnostic approach is offering fresh potential to increase the speed and accessibility of testing for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in a first-of-its-kind use for the diagnostic tool.

The North East Innovation Lab is expanding its portfolio and focusing its expertise in developing diagnostic tests for patients with autoimmune disease. The laboratory, part of Newcastle Hospitals, is working with the ‘golden triangle’ of industry, academia and the NHS to bring new and improved tests to market for inflammatory conditions.

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has unveiled the new CQ3000, a high-content analysis system for capturing high-definition 3D microscopic images of live cell cultures. Expanding the company’s CellVoyager family of products, the CQ3000 will be launched commercially later in 2024.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its Pathogen Genomics Strategy, laying out a five-year plan for the organisation’s role in the wider delivery of pathogen genomics to prepare for and respond to infectious disease threats to public health.

Bio-Techne Corporation has announced that Advanced Cell Diagnostics (ACD), a Bio-Techne spatial biology brand, has set a new standard with the development of a next-generation, protease-free RNAscope spatial multiomics workflow.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and artificial intelligence (AI)-based digital diagnostics firm Techcyte have announced a strategic collaboration agreement to offer an AI-based algorithm that guides cytologists and pathologists to efficiently and effectively identify evidence of cervical cancer and precancer using whole-slide imaging.

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has announced a strategic partnership with Polycarbin, a pioneer in sustainable laboratory solutions, to drive a paradigm shift in laboratory sustainability for liquid handling automation plastics.

The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) and The Royal College of Radiologists have published a joint report following a meeting they co-chaired at 10 Downing Street to discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the NHS.

The NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) has formally announced the launch of the NHS GMS Networks of Excellence, which will help to deliver the ‘Accelerating Genomic Medicine in the NHS’ strategy, focusing on areas of high priority for the NHS and working to support transformation in patient care by enabling earlier and more precise diagnosis, risk stratification and treatment interventions.

Bruker Corporation has announced a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Chemspeed Technologies AG, a Swiss provider of vendor-agnostic automated laboratory R&D and QC workflow solutions. Chemspeed is focused on modular automation and robotics solutions for chemical research, pharma drug formulation, materials research for cleantech and consumer applications.

The Princess Royal has officially opened the Medical Research Council’s new £120m state-of-the-art Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) building on Imperial College London Hammersmith campus.

Greater Manchester has taken the next steps in its digitisation of pathology services, with the go-live of Sectra’s digital pathology solution at Northern Care Alliance NHS Trust. The trust’s Oldham laboratory has completed technical go-live, with its Salford site also set to follow.

The European Commission is proposing an extension to the transition period for the forthcoming In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR), with the aim of ensuring patient care via continued availability of essential healthcare products.

A new study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has found that vaccination against COVID-19 consistently reduced the risk of long COVID symptoms.

Amadix, a Spanish biotech company, has announced that PreveCol, its colorectal cancer screening blood test, has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Following an inquiry into Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Diagnostics has published its first report, highlighting the clear benefits of the programme with each ICS having at least one CDC site, but also concerns over their placement, workforce and funding.

Genotyping technology is able to detect COVID-19 variants more quickly and cheaply than ever before – according to research from the University of East Anglia and the UK Health Security Agency.