Medilink News Summer 2021 | Page 14

QuantuMDx launches its new rapid PCR point-of-care diagnostic system
Abingdon Health completes a delivery of 1m rapid antibody tests for COVID-19
Yourgene Health to provide COVID-19 testing for international arrivals

covid-19 : DIAGNOSTICS

QuantuMDx launches its new rapid PCR point-of-care diagnostic system
QuantuMDx , a Newcastle-based developer of molecular diagnostics , has launched Q-POC TM , its rapid , PCR point of care diagnostic system which is now CE-IVD marked , along with its Q-POC™ SARS-CoV-2 assay .
Q-POC™ is a portable PCR device offering rapid , sampleto-answer , molecular diagnostic testing at the point of care , with results in approximately 30 minutes . The Q-POC™ system comprises a sample collection kit , single-use test cassette and analyser . It can be used in a wide range of settings including emergency rooms , ICU , birth centres , clinics , and pharmacies .
Jonathan O ’ Halloran , Chief Executive , QuantuMDx , said : “ Q-POC™ represents a new class of molecular diagnostic device : it ’ s fast , battery operated , can multiplex and is so simple to operate that anyone can be trained to use it . It ’ s a true point of care diagnostic system .
“ Our Q-POC™ system is future-proof , and packs a great deal of complexity and power behind its modern lines and simple operation . Our SARS-CoV-2 test is just the first in a portfolio designed to meet real clinical needs . Over the next few years , we ’ ll be driving menu expansion , comprising large syndromic panels and antimicrobial resistance mutation panels , ensuring we remain at the forefront of molecular , point of care diagnostics globally .”
The launch of the diagnostic system follows on the company ’ s successful funding round of £ 11m in March .
Abingdon Health completes a delivery of 1m rapid antibody tests for COVID-19
Earlier this year , Abingdon Health , a York-based rapid test manufacturer and leading member of the UK-Rapid Test Consortium ( UK-RTC ), completed a delivery of 1m AbC-19 TM rapid antibody tests for COVID-19 .
In December , the company raised £ 22m on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange . Since then , the business has continued to make progress on its rapid COVID-19 test , which had been the main contributor to an increase in its revenue so far .
Chris Yates , Chief Executive Officer at Abingdon Health , said : “ We have made significant commercial progress across the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 markets and the company expects revenues to more than double this year . The company continues to develop a strong pipeline of opportunities for its AbC-19 TM rapid test . The lateral flow testing market is forecast to be worth $ 10.2bn by 2025 , and Abingdon remains well-positioned to be the ‘ go-to ’ provider for high quality rapid tests .”
Due to the growing global demand for lateral-flow tests , the company is continuing to scale up and is on track to be able to produce 150 million tests per annum by the end of 2021 .”
The company also signed a manufacturing agreement with BioSure . Under the agreement , Abingdon Health will manufacture BioSure ’ s own lateral flow tests for COVID-19 , helping speed up their roll-out in the UK and overseas .
Yourgene Health to provide COVID-19 testing for international arrivals
Yourgene Health , the international molecular diagnostic group from Manchester , has been added to the UK Government ’ s list as a private provider of day two and day eight coronavirus testing for all international arrivals for both SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing and SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing testing services . Yourgene will provide the routine Clarigene SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing services and a new sequencing test being performed from Yourgene Genomic Services using ThermoFisher ’ s Ion AmpliSeq™ SARSCoV2 Research Panel . Lyn Rees , CEO of Yourgene Health , commented : “ Receiving approval to be added to the Government ’ s COVID-19 private provider list , for both PCR testing and our sequencing service ,
illustrates the high standard and service levels that Yourgene . has been providing under our Genomics Services offering . We are extremely pleased to be at the forefront of this development as travel begins to open up .”
The company has also been successful with its tenders under the PHE ’ s National Microbiology Framework securing four lots with the total value of £ 22bn . The lots will allow Yourgene to offer its Clarigene ® SARS- CoV-2 PCR assay and associated Manchester-based clinical laboratory testing services under the National Microbiology Framework Agreement , as well as other testing or test development services .
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