LotusDx, a medtech company developing at-home diagnostic tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), has established its R&D laboratory at ONE BioHub, located on the Foresterhill Health Campus, in Aberdeen.
The move to ONE BioHub marks a key milestone in the company’s ongoing development of its portfolio of at-home STI testing kits, supporting progress towards clinical validation and commercial development.
LotusDx, a start-up founded in Glasgow, has chosen ONE BioHub as its base to access laboratory facilities and specialist support within its life sciences ecosystem, including established links to NHS Grampian. This will enable the firm to explore clinical collaboration opportunities, including patient engagement and input from clinicians and researchers to support product development and validation.
Current STI testing methods are limited by accessibility, time to diagnosis, and stigma associated with in-person testing. LotusDx is developing at-home diagnostic kits for common STIs (pictured), including chlamydia and gonorrhoea, providing an affordable, simple and faster solution that will allow users to order kits to their home and receive results through a dedicated app without the need to send samples to a laboratory or attend a clinic. The app will also help connect users with healthcare professionals, pharmacies, and support networks in the local area to help ensure access to the necessary treatment, guidance and support.
ONE BioHub is the home for the life sciences ecosystem in Northeast Scotland, where founders can access expert advice and tailored programmes to grow and scale their ventures. ONE collaborates with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to bring entrepreneurial education to founders in Northeast Scotland, including a bootcamp on the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework in Aberdeen in March. LotusDx co-founder Ali T attended the bootcamp and as part of the winning team in the final session won six months free hotdesking space at ONE BioHub.
Ali T, CEO and Co-Founder, LotusDx, said: “When I first visited ONE BioHub, I immediately felt it was the right place for LotusDx. The quality of the laboratory space, infrastructure and wider support environment made a strong impression, and I could clearly see its potential to support our long-term growth, including future manufacturing ambitions. While we had originally expected to make this move after our first funding round, the support of the University of Glasgow, the STAC programme and the team at ONE enabled us to establish our R&D base sooner. We have also benefited enormously from the support of people across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and beyond. As we begin this next phase in Aberdeen, we are excited to become part of the city’s innovation community, build something meaningful here, and give back wherever we can.”