UK scientists are developing supercharged lateral flow tests to help identify early signs of up to 10 conditions in a matter of minutes.
The “point-of-care” tests are expected to simultaneously detect markers of diseases, including cardiovascular conditions and some types of cancer.
Researchers from Oxford and Cambridge say the results will be combined into a smartphone-readable device, similar to a lateral flow test.
EDX Medical Group PLC, the Cambridge-based company behind the technology, also called the rapid tests a “game changer.”
Smartphone camera technology, which will help read and interpret test results, will set new standards for “point-of-care” clinical testing, the company said.
The new miniaturized “point-of-care” tests are expected to detect disease markers simultaneously. Among the markers that Oxford and Cambridge researchers are developing are cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer. Results from the multiple available ‘mini-tests’ will be combined into a smartphone-readable device, similar to a lateral flow test
Smartphone camera technology, which will also help read and interpret test results, will set new standards for “point-of-care” clinical testing, the company said. Point-of-care testing, also known as near-patient testing, typically allows healthcare professionals to perform a test using a testing device or kit in the presence of the patient and without the need to send a sample to a laboratory.
It comes as supermarket giant Tesco launched a range of at-home health tests in March, allowing customers to purchase self-test kits designed to detect early warning signs of serious illnesses such as bowel cancer, kidney disease and even flu. , while they did their weekly shopping. Available on their website and in more than 500 stores nationwide, the do-it-yourself checks use the same technology behind lateral flow devices.
Point-of-care testing, also known as near-patient testing, typically allows healthcare professionals to perform a test using a testing device or kit in the presence of the patient and without the need to send a sample to a laboratory.
The move follows EDX Medical’s acquisition of Oxford-based Hutano Diagnostics Ltd, which will see scientists in both cities work to accelerate the rollout of the new tests.
Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in England, affecting around 6.4 million people.
And a record five million Britons are living with diabetes, increasing the risk of strokes, heart attacks and heart failure.
Professor Sir Chris Evans, OBE, founder of EDX Medical, said: “We are tremendously excited about the prospect of making the most advanced point-of-care testing available for the benefit of patients around the world.”
He added: “This is a great joint effort by scientists from Oxford and Cambridge.
“Hutano has the ambition and technology to develop truly unique tests that, combined with EDX chemistry and smartphone expertise, will lead to revolutionary new digital diagnostic products.”
Meanwhile, Dr Mike Hudson, CEO of EDX Medical, said: “The group’s combined experience and resources put us in a unique position to accelerate the introduction of a number of clinically important products and set a new ‘standard.’ at the point -proofs of attention all over the world.’
It comes as supermarket giant Tesco launched a range of at-home health tests in March, allowing customers to purchase self-test kits designed to detect early warning signs of serious illnesses such as bowel cancer, kidney disease and even flu. , while they did their weekly shopping.
Available on their website and in more than 500 stores nationwide, the do-it-yourself checks use the same technology behind lateral flow devices.
But at the time experts also warned that the tests could provide “a false sense of security” and even have the potential to “cause direct harm.”
However, in August, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended that DIY test kits could prevent 100,000 people from having colonoscopies for suspected bowel cancer each year.
Last month, researchers at the University of Exeter also announced that they had designed a home finger-prick testing device that analyzes small molecules within the blood to detect health conditions and diseases.
The team hopes to have a similar test for childhood allergies ready next year and to be able to use the device to check menopause, fertility and healthy aging in 2025.
And they believe it could one day be used to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s or predict a person’s individual risk of developing the devastating disease, for the cost of a pregnancy test.
