Randox Health – Optimizing Performance as Official Diagnostic Health Partner of Team GB for Paris 2024
Randox Health – Optimizing Performance as Official Diagnostic Health Partner of Team GB for Paris 2024
Randox Health’s unique diagnostic technologies have been supporting Team GB in their preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and will continue to help optimise the team’s performance during the competition.
Over the last year, Randox have been working closely with Team GB brand ambassadors, to ensure they are perfectly placed to perform their utmost at the Olympic Games. Each of them have undertaken a Randox Health Everyman and Everywoman diagnostic health test package at one of the Randox Health clinics, to measure their conditions as they get to that starting line in Paris.
As one star, Duncan Scott, Team GB’s most decorated Olympic swimmer, put it: “If it makes one per cent difference it’s 100% worth it.”
“Everything you do as a swimmer is being channeled through the window of your technique but there’s external factors such as nutrition, recovery, sleep that contribute those one per cents towards how you’re going to be inside the pool when it matters the most. With that in mind, I think the Randox Health Everyman check was spot on and I’m glad that I’ve done it.”
Team GB sprinter and double Olympic medalist Daryll Neita took the Everywoman test, calling it, “the most in-depth testing I’ve ever had.”
“It’s amazing that the Everywoman test discovers things that could help my performance whether it’s how I recover to deficiencies but also our sport is about marginal gains, centimetres, millimetres, the finest of margins and through tests like this, it lets you stay on-top of your health helping you achieve optimal performance or even a mental boost that you’re healthy.”
Team GB’s Chief Medical Officer, Niall Elliott, said that Randox was helping in three critical areas of health testing for athletes – iron metabolism, vitamin D levels – critical to the immune system and muscle power – and glucose or energy levels. “It is a fascinating journey, the testing we can do.”
Andy Anson, Chief Executive of the BOA adds, “We are delighted to be partnering with Randox for the second time following the success of our work together for Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022.
“Ensuring we have the best performance environment in place for our athletes is critical to the success of the team at an Olympic Games, and sector-leading medical services are key to that strategy.”
Randox’s Vivalytic diagnostics machine will also be in action during Paris 2024. These fully automated, all-in-one molecular diagnostic machines are powered by Randox’s unique Biochip Technology and are capable of checking for a wide range of respiratory infections, enabling multiple test results from just one sample
Dr. Lisa Hyland, who is working as a Team GB HQ Doctor, said,
“As a Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant working with elite athletes, it’s important we know the pathogen driving the disease process to be able to target management appropriately. With Randox supplying this useful technology in our performance environments, we can optimally manage both the athletes and wider team safely and efficiently.”
“Our aim, along with the teams of experts assisting our athletes is simple – to ensure that Team GB is in peak physical and mental condition as they get to the starting line.”
Adds Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Health, “And these technologies are not just for athletes – our diagnostic packages and analysers are designed to make a difference to everyone’s life – to help us make the most of all the opportunities life has to offer.”
The medical techniques keeping Team GB healthy during the Olympic Games
There was a time when you could count the number of British gold medallists on the fingers of one hand. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, winning an Olympics event made you a household name overnight.
Anne Packer, Lynn Davies, Mary Peters, David Hemery, Anita Lonsbrough, – to name a few of the few – were feted across the land to pulling off the seemingly impossible – beating the world, usually in track and field or the swimming pool.
But all that has changed.
London 2012 (29 gold medals); Rio de Janeiro 2016 (27 gold); Tokyo 2020 but actually in 2021 (22 gold).
Time was when most Olympics hopefuls were fanatical amateurs, prepared to turn out on some bleak and chilly track, strip down to their shorts and practise their sport in front of an equally dedicated but minority audience.
Not any more. The British medals haul, however you measure it, is also top of the tree on an international basis. A country of fewer than 70 million people typically comes in the top three or four on the planet behind only the likes of such giants such as the USA and China. We even beat the Australians – on a regular basis.
This has not happened by accident.
Obviously, a huge amount of credit must go to the athletes themselves and their coaches. Their talent and dedication will be fully on display in Paris this week when the Games return to France for the first time in exactly 100 years.
But there is much more to it than that. Team GB has revolutionised British Olympics in recent years. The team numbers more than 300 and for only the second time in our history, there will be more women (172) than male (155) competitors.
Professional coaches, physios, nutritionists, and mind game experts will abound.
The Greatest Show on Earth will dominate our TV screens, social media, press and national conversation for a fortnight (and more).
These are some of the reasons why Randox, Europe’s biggest diagnostic company, is sponsoring Team GB. We love supporting the athletes behind mega sporting events (The Grand National, for instance) and it does not come any more mega than Paris 2024.
We were there the last time – Tokyo 2020 – but in challenging circumstances. Tokyo 2020 actually took place in 2021, postponed for a year because of the Covid pandemic.The glittering contests were performed in front of empty stadiums and sports halls after the Olympic authorities, understandably anxious to avert a super-spreader car crash, prohibited spectators.
Founded in 1982, Randox conducted more than 27 million Covid tests in the UK and offered support to Team GB three years ago for a very specific and vital purpose – to help stop the spread of Covid among the athletes and their support teams. It worked. Despite the fears of the Olympic authorities, the plethora of measures taken to safeguard contestants, meant that only one athlete fell sick and was unable to compete.
Not so this time. 15 million people, two million from abroad, are expected to swamp the French capital over late July and early August.
Our Vivalytic diagnostic machine, used in Tokyo to test all our athletes for Covid, will be in action again. But this time, we will be casting the net far wider, checking for a range of respiratory infections that can lay contestants low.
Our aim, along with the teams of experts assisting our athletes is simple – to ensure that Team GB is in peak physical and mental condition as they get to the starting line.
We have also been working closely with our brand ambassadors to ensure that they are perfectly placed to perform to their utmost in Paris. All of them have undertaken our Everyman and Everywoman diagnostic health testing packages at one of our health clinics, to measure their condition as they prepare for Paris.
As one star, Duncan Scott, our most decorated Olympic swimmer, put it: “If it makes one per cent difference, it’s 100 per cent worth it.
“It excited me that it was essentially a head-to-toe MOT and there’s areas I’ve never really had much data, on but also last year I had an IgE (antibody) deficiency impacting my immune system which made training so inconsistent as some days I felt sluggish.
“This year has been much more consistent after picking up on it which makes me wish I had something like this, as if I did this last year or 24 months ago, it’d have been ideal going in unknown and then picking up on it as a risk rather than me getting frustrated and being ill.”
Top sprinter Daryll Neita, a multiple medal winner, took the Everywoman test, “the most in-depth testing I’ve ever had.”
Her verdict points to the confidence boost of knowing you are in peak condition physically: “Although I’ve not had any recent health concerns, it’s amazing that the Everywoman test discovers things that could help my performance.
“Whether it’s how I recover or deficiencies, but also our sport is about marginal gains, centimetres, millimetres, the finest of margins and through tests like this, it lets you stay on-top of your health, helping you achieve optimal performance or even a mental boost that you’re healthy.”
Team GB’s Chief Medical Officer Niall Elliott, said that Randox was helping in three critical areas of health testing for athletes – iron metabolism, vitamin D levels – critical to the immune system and muscle power – and glucose or energy levels. “It is a fascinating journey, the testing we can do.”
This must be the best prepared – and the most safeguarded – Team GB ever to leave our shores.
As devotees of the wonderful film, Chariots of Fire, will know, they have much to live up to. Back in the 1924 Paris Olympics, Harold Abrahams in the 100 metres and Eric Liddell in the 400 metres both emerged triumphant. On top of their legendary feats, Britain secured seven more gold medals.
We can only hope and pray that our champions, bolstered by the latest in sports science, can achieve even greater heights.
Words by Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Sunday Express https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1925873/medical-techniques-keeping-team-gb
Randox named as Company of the year
Randox tops the charts in Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Companies
Randox is the largest blood-sciences healthcare diagnostics company from the UK and Ireland. Established in 1982 by managing director Dr Peter FitzGerald, Randox manufactures more than four billion tests per year and has a global sales and distribution network supplying product to 145 countries. Randox estimates more than 400 million people, around 5% of the world’s population, receive a diagnosis involving Randox products each year. Key facilities are located at multiple sites within Northern Ireland, in Co Donegal, in West Virginia in the United States and in Bengaluru, India.
As a privately-owned company Randox invests heavily in research and development, committing up to 25% of turnover for the development of new diagnostic products. Recent testing developments include: Type 1 Diabetes Genetic Risk Score; an advanced PSA test to improve the predictive potential of PSA alone for prostate cancer; predictive bladder cancer testing panels; risk assessment for post operative acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease; and wide-ranging quality control and external quality assurance capabilities to ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results.
Randox’s innovative approach to R&D has allowed the development of allied capabilities outside the immediate world of human healthcare, including leading testing capabilities in the veterinary field, for toxicology and for the detection of harmful drug residues and pathogens in food.
Research and development programmes are not limited to the development of tests, but also includes the advanced analyser systems to process samples efficiently. This requires integral, advanced capabilities in electrical and mechanical engineering, optics, robotics and software engineering.
Over £350m of investment has supported the development of a unique testing system to allow multiple tests to be run simultaneously on a single sample – the Randox Biochip. This 9mm x 9mm platform, which allows up to 49 tests to be run simultaneously, greatly increases the diagnostic power available to clinicians to enable earlier, more accurate diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. Initially focused on proteomics, Randox has also greatly increased its genetic testing capabilities to increase predictive capabilities.
In order to support the model of diagnostically-led healthcare, Randox has developed the Randox Health brand, to provide public access to comprehensive testing. The aim is to empower the consumer and to enable a preventative approach to healthcare – rather than rely upon the treatment of illness. Well over 20 clinics are now available across the UK and Ireland, including in partnership within John Lewis stores.
At the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic Randox was ideally placed to support the UK’s requirement for a national Covid-19 testing programme. By mid-February 2020 Randox were amongst the global frontrunners in developing a Covid-19 test and had developed home sample collection and reporting capabilities. The company was engaged by Government from mid-March 2020 to support the UK’s national testing programme – at that time the complete NHS testing capability for Covid-19 was reported as 2,400 tests per day.
Rising to meet this unprecedented national demand markedly increased company turnover and profits. A post-pandemic assessment by consultants OCO Global concluded that Randox’s activities during the pandemic averted over 3,100 deaths, prevented 14,100 hospitalizations and enabled a £8.3bn contribution to the UK’s GDP.
Exiting from the pandemic and reverting to sector norms with a strong balance sheet, Randox is investing heavily in upgrading the company’s infrastructure and R&D programmes. Randox is also investing significant resources in expanding the business-to-consumer diagnostic offer under the Randox Health brand – with clinics in the UK and Ireland, and US.
Noting the pressures upon all healthcare systems, and a need to transition from ‘illness management’ to more sustainable ‘prevention’ models, Randox is investing heavily for the future. Its aim is to ensure it is well positioned to support and enable healthcare transformation through improved diagnostics, to both increase system efficiencies and improve patient outcomes.
Joe Kennedy III, US special envoy for economic affairs visited Randox Science Park in Antrim last week to listen for presentations on Randox Laboratories MultiSTAT and RABTA analysers. He wrote in a foreword to the Belfast Telegraph article, “I congratulate everyone who has contributed to the success of Northern Ireland’s Top 100 Companies. “From globally-recognised brands to indigenous firms, each company reflects the wide diversity of employers who generate prosperity and opportunity right across Northern Ireland.”
Randox managing director Dr. Peter FitzGerald said it welcomed the accolade of being named number one company.
“These results reflect the skills, commitment and agility of our people, and the capability of our unique technologies.
“As a team we were also able to call upon 40 years of diagnostic experience to meet the exceptional demands of Covid-19, while simultaneously supporting our established global customer base of healthcare laboratories. Crucial to this was our long term commitment to research and development which has always been a cornerstone of our business philosophy.
“Randox is committed to enhancing healthcare through more sensitive and accurate diagnostics to enable the prevention of disease and improve healthcare outcomes, whilst reducing the burden on healthcare services.
“Our profits will continue to be directed towards enabling our infrastructure and research and development, as well as accelerating better healthcare models and improving direct public access through our Randox Health clinics. Our ambition is to enable better health outcomes for all and we are committed to that goal.”
Randox’s Sustainable Success with carbonfit
In the dynamic diagnostic testing sector, Randox is leading the charge towards sustainability with a clear vision and strategic partnership with carbonfit. Randox have a commitment to reducing carbon emissions and embracing renewable energy solutions which is setting a new standard for environmental responsibility within the industry.
- Aiming for complete elimination of emissions by 2050 whilst hitting milestones in the years leading up to this.
- Additionally, they are targeting a remarkable 95% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2050 whilst hitting milestones in the years leading up to this.
- Additionally, they are targeting a remarkable 95% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2050. These goals highlight Randox’s proactive approach to mitigating their environmental impact and aligning with global sustainability objectives.
Partnering with carbonfit, Randox has implemented a comprehensive carbon reduction plan that has yielded significant results. They have identified and implemented energy-saving measures that resulted substantial savings of c.600,000 kWh and a notable reduction of over 1,800 metric tonnes of C02 equivalent (TCO2e). These efforts have not only contributed to environmental sustainability but have also led to financial savings of approximately £180,000 per year, demonstrating the synergies between sustainability and business efficiency.
Randox’s commitment to renewable energy is evident through their planned installation of solar PV systems in 2023 and 2024. By embracing clean energy technologies, Randox is further reducing their carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable energy landscape.
One of the main drivers for Randox to work with carbonfit was the need for a more efficient and advanced approach to managing carbon and energy. Transitioning away from manual spreadsheet-based methods, Randox leveraged carbonfit’s sophisticated platform for real-time data management, regulatory requirements including ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme), PPN06/21 (Publicly Available Specification for the Assessment of the Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Goods and Services), and SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting), empowering Randox with streamlined operations and enhanced sustainability practices.
Randox’s partnership with carbonfit exemplifies their dedication to innovation, sustainability leadership, and responsible corporate practices. Together, they are driving meaningful change towards a greener future, where environmental stewardship and operational excellence go hand in hand.
PCR rapid tests for Candida auris for Vivalytic by Bosch now available
World’s first fully automated PCR test for detection of the multidrug-resistant fungus at the point of care.
-
Vivalytic test detects Candida auris in under an hour at the point of care, making it the world’s first test suitable for screenings.
-
Candida auris infection rates are on the rise in Germany and can cause severe infections, for example in the bloodstream (sepsis).
-
Hospitals can use the new screening test to detect colonization, allowing them to implement measures to contain outbreaks.
Bosch Healthcare solutions has developed a PCR test for detecting Candida auris (C. auris) and on the Vivalytic platform. The test is a global innovation now available for order from distribution partners including Randox Laboratories Ltd. and R-Biopharm. This test enables the fully automated detection of the frequently multi-resistant fungus in less than an hour at the point of care. The rapid testing capability also makes it suitable for carrying out screenings when necessary. In contrast, traditional culture tests in centralized laboratories require one to three days, delaying diagnosis and the initiation of targeted treatment. “Considering the heightened risk of severe progression in individuals with pre-existing conditions, we have developed a new test that enables clinics to respond more swiftly,” states Marc Meier, managing director of Bosch Healthcare Solutions. Patients with compromised immune systems, such as those in intensive care, individuals with serious underlying conditions such as diabetes, or those who are immunosuppressed due to cancer or HIV, as well as patients about to undergo invasive surgery, face a heightened risk of active infection with C. auris. The mortality rate for C. auris infections ranges from 30 to 72 percent.
“Candida auris can be transmitted from person to person through contact and contaminated surfaces. When this fungus presents, rapid detection is therefore rapid detection is therefore paramount to enable implementation of effective control and prevention strategies,” says Dr. med. Alexander Maximillian Aldejohann, deputy head of the Würzburg Laboratory at the National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections (NRZMyk.) Since July 2023, Germany has implemented a limited statutory reporting requirement under the Infection Protection Act. Aldejohann is in favor of extending this reporting obligation: “The fungus has the capacity to rapidly develop resistance to many common antifungal agents coupled with the ability to survive for a relatively long time on surfaces. This high so-called tenacity also increases the risk of outbreaks that are difficult to contain.”
Increasing spread of Candida auris
C. auris is spreading globally. In some states in the U.S, the annual incidence rate has been shown to increase by a factor of 2 to 3. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) also drew attention to a rise in cases within Germany during the past year in the Epidemiological Bulletin at the at the beginning of May. The RKI points out that in specific areas screening could be beneficial. In the U.S, the annual case count has in the meantime reached the thousands. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) already consider the screening of patients, visitors, and staff for C. auris as a crucial strategy to curb its spread in healthcare settings. While the fungus is harmless for healthy individuals, it can it can lead to severe nosocomial infections, i.e. infections acquired in hospitals or other healthcare environments, in patients at high risk and, if the fungus enters the bloodstream, can trigger sepsis.
Easy handling, rapid detection The Vivalytic Analyser enables effortless testing directly at the point of care: The sample is placed into the test cartridge, which already contains all necessary reagents. The cartridge is then inserted into the Vivalytic Analyser for automated processing. Healthcare professionals require only minimal training to use the system, and the fully automated process significantly lowers the risk of infection. The Vivalytic Analyser thus facilitates rapid and precise diagnostics in PCR quality, bypassing the frequently lengthy process through a central laboratory. Bosch Healthcare Solutions is expecting CE certification for the Vivalytic C. auris test soon.
For More Information Please Contact:
Martin Conway, Phone: +44 (0) 28 9442 2413
E-mail: martin.conway@randox.co
Dementia Action Week 2024
Dementia Action Week 2024 (13th – 20th May)
The term Dementia describes the different brain disorders that trigger a loss of brain function. These conditions are all usually progressive and eventually severe. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting 62 per cent of all those diagnosed.
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Common symptoms include memory loss, confusion, and speech problems. Early warning signs may also include finding it difficult to follow conversations, or programs on TV, forgetting names of friends, or everyday objects and feeling confused even in a familiar environment.
Mainly affecting older people, after the age of 65, the likelihood of developing dementia roughly doubles every five years – however, for some dementia can develop earlier, presenting different issues for the person affected, their carer and their family. There is also a considerable economic cost associated with the disease estimated at £23 billion a year, which is predicted to triple by 2040. This is more than the cost of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
At Randox, we recognise the importance in diagnosing dementia early. Through our Randox Alzheimer’s Disease Array which can be used for Rapid Identification of Alzheimer’s Disease Risk. Randox’s Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Array can be used for the direct determination of ApoE4 status from plasma, eliminating the need for genetic testing, assisting in clinical research and personalised medicine strategies. At Randox, we believe the importance of measuring ApoE4 protein expression in plasma is the way forward to screen those individuals at increased risk of Alzheimer Disease, as new beta amyloid-targeting therapies for this condition are being expected.
Race Against Dementia have been the partner charity for the Randox Grand National Festival over the past two years, working alongside this charity which was founded by three-times Formula One World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart, with the aim of funding much needed pioneering research into the prevention and cure of dementia.
For further information about the Randox Alzheimer’s Array please email info@randoxbiosciences.com
Growth through medical technology: Randox and Bosch invest heavily in the Vivalytic analysis platform
-
New partnership for Vivalytic analysis platform: Bosch and Randox
-
Laboratories Ltd. to invest 150 million euros in research, development, and
-
distribution
-
Strategic growth field: point-of-care molecular diagnostics expected to
-
become a future market worth billions
-
Growth with fully automated laboratory diagnostics: the two companies aim to
-
achieve sales in the nine-figure range by 2030.
-
Smartphone-sized laboratory: sepsis IVD grade test based on cutting-edge
-
BioMEMS technology is a joint development objective.
With many diseases, every minute counts, and determining whether a patient is presenting the symptoms of a simple cold, the flu, or something as severe as life-threatening meningitis is usually only possible after time-consuming and expensive
laboratory diagnostics. With its Vivalytic analysis platform, Bosch has set itself the goal of making fast and highly precise diagnostics accessible at the point of care – and aims to use molecular diagnostics to become a leading provider in the
market by 2030. To achieve this, Bosch has now agreed on a strategic partnership with Randox Laboratories Ltd., a leading diagnostic and medical technology company. The two companies will invest around 150 million euros in joint research, development, and sales activities for new tests for the Vivalytic analysis platform provided by Bosch Healthcare. One goal is the development of a sepsis IVD1 grade test that will be the first to feature highly innovative and novel BioMEMS technology.
Bosch has defined medical technology as a strategic growth field. Point-of-care molecular diagnostics is expected to become a future market worth billions. And with its Vivalytic analysis platform, Bosch aims to achieve a leading position in this market. “With cutting-edge technology from our own labs and our own production lines, we want to grow long-term together with partners in the field of precision diagnostics,” says Stefan Hartung, chairman of the Bosch board of management. “Here, our medical technology can draw considerable benefit from our diversification, from our expertise, from the groundwork we have done in automation, miniaturization, molecular diagnostics, and from our experience in microchip development and manufacturing,” Hartung adds. “We are investing long-term in an exciting high-tech growth field and continuously developing it together with partners. With technology ‘Invented for life’, we can relieve the burden on medical professionals and help make the diagnose and treatment of disease faster”.
Shared growth: decentralized diagnostics at the point of care
Bosch Healthcare Solutions and Randox are now joining forces in an attempt to accelerate the development and market launch of new tests and to make distribution channels more efficient. The partnership is set to run for more than ten years. With Vivalytic, the two companies aim to achieve sales in the medium nine-figure range by 2030. “Globally, healthcare is moving toward decentralized and personalized diagnostics, that enable rapid interventions and individual treatment plans,” says Marc Meier, managing director of Bosch Healthcare
Solutions GmbH. “With our partner Randox, we want to further expand the test portfolio of our Vivalytic analysis device. Our fully automated molecular diagnostics PCR tests provide clarity directly at the site of sample collection,
shorten waiting times, and take the strain off the healthcare system,” Meier adds. The two partners are a good fit: Bosch can contribute its technology and manufacturing expertise across the fields of molecular diagnostics, microchip
development and manufacturing, and miniaturization. The universal Vivalytic platform for molecular diagnostics was developed in over ten years by Bosch researchers and brought to market maturity by Bosch Healthcare Solutions. Randox has 40 years of experience in the design and development of highly sensitive IVD tests performed on a variety of technologies, including microfluidic platforms. In combination with the company’s extensive market knowledge and global sales and distribution network, this adds up to considerable opportunities for growth. “Randox has always been committed to improving health worldwide and sees the need to invest in research and development initiatives that will support clinical decision making across a variety of disease areas. Diagnostics has always been an indispensable component of healthcare, and the alignment of both science and technology makes for the perfect fit in an area for high potential impact, especially in pressure-driven environments,” says Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories Ltd. Bosch Healthcare Solutions and Randox already collaborated during the Covid-19 pandemic. In spring 2020, Bosch launched one of the world’s first fully automated PCR tests for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Together with Randox, the rapid test for use in doctor’s offices, nursing homes, testing stations, and hospitals was made ready for the Vivalytic analysis device within the space of just a few weeks.
Development goal: sepsis test based on BioMEMS technology
One focus of the development partnership with Randox is the implementation of a highly sensitive multiplex2test for sepsis on the Vivalytic analysis platform.Sepsis, also known as “blood poisoning,” is a potentially life-threatening complication3 that can occur in conjunction with various infectious diseases. A medical emergency that can lead to multiple organ failure, it requires immediate medical treatment. The planned IVD grade sepsis test is to be based for the first time on the highly innovative and novel BioMEMS technology developed by teams from Bosch corporate research in Renningen and Bosch Healthcare Solutions in Waiblingen. “We have set ourselves the ambitious goal
of adding the functions of a high-performance silicon chip based on microsystems technology to our test cartridges for the Vivalytic platform. In doing so, we will combine Bosch’s unique expertise in the areas of MEMS chips, molecular diagnostics, and microfluidics,” Marc Meier says. “Clinical outcomes in sepsis depend on timely diagnosis and appropriate early therapeutic intervention. Current methods of sepsis diagnosis are insufficient and time-consuming. With over 10 years of experience in the field of infectious diseases diagnostics, we aim to develop a state-of-the-art sepsis test using the highly multiplexing BioMEMS technology. Such a test could revolutionize sepsis diagnosis, ultimately leading to improved treatment outcomes and lower mortality rates from this life-threatening condition,” says Dr. Peter Fitzgerald.
Smaller and faster: from microfluidics to nanofluidics – thanks to BioMEMS
The powerful BioMEMS chip adds a further innovative analysis method to the Vivalytic test cartridge, enabling it to test simultaneously and significantly faster for a large number of different pathogens. It is called BioMEMS because it combines microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) with microfluidics for applications in the field of medical technology. In microfluidics, very small amounts of fluid in the microliter range are moved in a very small space. Miniaturization allows qualitative biochemical polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to run in parallel in real-time on a single BioMEMS chip. “Compared to previous PCR reactions, the volumes of liquids are reduced by a factor of 1,000 to the nanoliter range. The analysis of liquids is left to a small microchip,” Marc Meier explains. With the new BioMEMS technology, fully automatic testing up to 250 genetic characteristics4 (e.g. pathogens) in one cartridge is possible in less
than 15 minutes. The test cartridge is a highly complex laboratory the size of a smartphone, so to speak. Another future advantage of BioMEMS will be simpler and faster adaptation of new tests or existing tests on the chip itself. For example, existing tests can easily be expanded to include additional features. “The BioMEMS technology paves the way for us to move into nanofluidics, where each pathogen will be examined in a reaction vessel the thickness of a hair,” Meier says. To achieve this, Bosch wants to create more capacity on a MEMS chip and expand it what are known as “nanocavities”. Thanks to t
hese very small cavities, even more biochemical processes will be able to run in parallel on a
chip. With increasing miniaturization, the technology has potential to be used in oncology as well over the long term. The BioMEMS chips are to be manufactured at the Bosch semiconductor plant in Reutlingen, with bio-integration and cartridge
assembly to be carried out at Bosch Healthcare Solutions in Waiblingen.
Vivalytic platform: easy application at the point of sample collection
The advantages of carrying out PCR tests on the Bosch Vivalytic platform lie not only in speedy a
nalysis, but also in the ease of use: Once the sample has been taken, it is placed in the test cartridge. The cartridge, which contains all the necessary reagents for the respective test, is then inserted into the Vivalytic analyser for automated evaluation. Medical staff require only brief training on how to operate it. This enables fast and targeted diagnostics directly at the point of sample collection – either at the doctor’s office or in the hospital – without the often long and time-consuming detour via a central laboratory. Bosch Healthcare Solutions already distributes various tests for diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, such as SARS-CoV-2 – also a pooling variant and as a saliva test – or a test to differentiate between SARS-CoV-2, RSV virus and influenza. There are also tests for pathogens that cause sexually transmitted infections (STI) and MRSA / SA (“hospital germ”). Starting in summer, it is planned to expand the portfolio with tests for whooping cough (Bordetella holmesii, Bordetella parapertus
sis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica), urinary tract infections (UTI), bacterial meningitis, the two most common sexually transmitted diseases (Chlamydia trachomatis; CT and Neisseria gonorrhoeae; (NG), fungal infections (Candida auris), and three tests for diarrheal diseases
(norovirus, Clostridioides difficile, HSP)
Contact persons for press inquiries:
Robert Bosch GmbH
Dörthe Warnk, Phone: +49 711 811-55508
E-mail: doerthe.warnk@bosch.com
Randox Laboratories Ltd.
Martin Conway, Phone: +44 (0) 28 9442 2413
E-mail: martin.conway@randox.com
Randox announce ‘Race Against Dementia’ as partner charity for Randox Grand National Festival 2024.
Race Against Dementia is announced as partner charity for Randox Grand National Festival 2024. The charity was founded by three-times Formula One World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE, with the aim of funding much needed pioneering research into the prevention and cure of dementia.
Race Against Dementia is announced as partner charity for Randox Grand National Festival 2024. This will be their second consecutive year as partner charity. Founded by three-times Formula One World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, with the aim of funding much needed pioneering research into the prevention and cure of dementia.
Race Against Dementia’s vision is to one day win the race against dementia by accelerating global research towards a breakthrough cure. Together we can beat dementia – faster. Currently more than 55 million people are affected by dementia worldwide. Sadly, unless something changes, 1 in 3 people born today will die with dementia.
Dementia affects different parts of the brain; some people with dementia may have trouble remembering things, while others may have trouble with language or performing tasks they used to do easily. There are many types of dementia. Each one can affect people differently, causing problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. There is unfortunately, no cure currently for this progressive disease.
As pioneers of prevention and 4-year principal partner of the Randox Grand National, Randox is proud to spread awareness of the power of preventative testing which can identify fences to clear in your health early and make you a front runner for a healthier future. As a global diagnostics company, with over 40 years of experience and a focus on preventative healthcare, Randox and Race Against Dementia are natural partners.
Throughout the three-day festival at Aintree, the charity partner will be supported to highlight the impact of the disease and to raise funds for much needed research into its prevention and cure. On Ladies Day (Friday 12th April), Randox’s sponsored race over the Grand National Fences will be titled ‘The Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Chase’, with opportunities to reach out to both the racing public, and through the festival’s media coverage, to the nation.
In the pursuit of a cure for dementia, improved testing and diagnosis will both enhance patient management and greatly accelerate the race for treatment. In the last 12 months, Randox have processed over 5 million tests from health-conscious clients across the UK & Ireland, through our accessible and comprehensive in-clinic and at-home testing services.
Randox provides access to unrivalled insights that allow you to take control of your health, empowering you to make simple lifestyle changes that could help protect future illness. Also offering specific tests across key health areas including sexual health, hormonal health, digestive, and a range of genetic and other health testing both at-home and in-clinic, at one of our health clinics located throughout the UK and now in selected John Lewis stores – providing easy access for millions of people to a new range of preventative health packages designed to help clients take control of their health.
Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Founder of Race Against Dementia: “The Randox Grand National is truly a highlight in the sporting calendar. We, at Race Against Dementia are very grateful to Randox Laboratories for supporting us once again this year. Someone is diagnoses with dementia every three seconds and together, through raising funds and awareness, we can accelerate progress towards finding both a prevention and a cure for dementia.
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox: “We are once again proud to partner with Race Against Dementia as our nominated charity for the Randox Grand National Festival 2024 – Race Against Dementia is a cause very close to our hearts!
“As a global diagnostics company, with over 40 years of experience and a focus on preventative healthcare, Randox and Race Against Dementia are natural partners.”
For more information please visit: raceagainstdementia.com/what-is-dementia/
The Randox Grand National Trophy (2024) is revealed.
Friday, 29th March
The Randox Grand National Trophy is one of the most iconic and prestigious sporting trophies in the world of horseracing.
From the start of the Randox sponsorship in 2017, Randox CEO Dr. Peter FitzGerald proposed a unique trophy would be designed and produced each year – the winning owner receiving a full-sized trophy, with the winning trainer, jockey and groom all receiving a miniature version.
Each trophy is uniquely Randox and has a story to tell. The design on the trophy has evolved over the years. Innovation is a characteristic that Randox takes great pride in. Randox is dedicated to improving health using innovative diagnostic technologies. This year’s design was the innovative work of talented De Montfort University placement student, Ritik Tailor.
On his design, Ritik says, “I am very fortunate to be given the opportunity to design the Randox Grand National Trophy. Being entrusted with such an important design at the start of my placement is quite rewarding. With the support of the team, I was able to create a trophy that feels like a major accomplishment for me as an intern. It’s also an incredible opportunity as the trophy is being presented to the winning jockey at the Randox Grand National. It is a great feeling that something I have created will be woven into the history of such a prestigious sporting event.”
This year’s trophy has two key elements -the design showcases the elegance of a horse mid-jump with nods to Randox’s expertise in biochemistry. A double helix, representing DNA, rises from the base of the trophy and is partially encased by two silver rods that act as its handles.
The horse, rising from a circular blood drop – is one of the most iconic symbols of the event, was something Ritik considered an essential component to incorporate into the design. “I wanted to capture the racehorse in a way that would make it stand out as the focal point of the trophy.” adds Ritik, “After brainstorming a couple of sketched, I decided on a dynamic and lifelike horse sculpture.”
But the life-like horse sculpture is not the only element that makes the trophy unique.
The Randox iconic logo is incorporated into the base in a subtle, yet impactful way – perfectly complimenting the horse. To tie everything together the DNA Helix design is another key feature.
“I wanted to incorporate Randox’s expertise in the field of biochemistry and molecular diagnostics into the design. This intricate design is etched into the metal base of the horse, symbolizing Randox’s icon.”
Graphic Design Team Lead, Elizabeth Heaney adds, “Ritik has truly made his mark within our design team during his placement. His trophy design being chosen over others from multiple designers is a testament to his creativity and talent. We couldn’t be prouder of this years Randox Grand National trophy – and I hope Ritik feels the same sense of accomplishment for his involvement in its creation.
“It’s amazing to think that Ritik accomplished this feat within just four weeks of joining Randox, demonstrating his quick adaption to the company and his ability to create a design that embodies Randox’s essence flawlessly!”
The Randox Grand National trophies over the years have been brought to life by silversmith, Cara Murphy who adds, “This is the fifth year I have had the honour of making the Randox Grand National trophy. It is always exciting to see the different designs and how they each celebrate the event.”
Overall, the Randox Grand National Trophy is beautiful and intricate work of art that embodies the company’s commitment to innovation, accuracy, and precision in the field of diagnostic testing and opportunity.
Randox Health announce partnership with Simplyhealth
Simplyhealth is now offering customers of its Health Plan discounted access to 10 Randox Health home testing kits able to detect common lifestyle related conditions including high cholesterol, vitamin deficiencies or diabetes.
24.4% of the UK population were at risk of at least one underlying health condition in 2019*. Reports from Randox Health home test kits will enable members to act early by suggesting simple lifestyle changes or directing them to a GP for further advice and guidance.
Simplyhealth Health Plan members can purchase discounted tests via the SimplyPlan app or the online Simplyhealth portal, under the SimplyRewards section. Members can choose from 10 Randox Health home test kits that measure up to twenty-four biomarkers related to heart, kidney, liver, iron, diabetes, thyroid, and nutritional health, providing fast, accurate, and convenient insights into their health.
The ten discounted at home test kits are: Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Heart Health, Thyroid Health, General Health, Male Hormones, Female Hormones, STI, Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), and Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA). Full details of each test can be found on the Simplyhealth and Randox websites.
David Ferguson, Chief Operations Officer for Randox Health said: “We are pleased to announce this partnership with Simplyhealth, providing their members with discounted Randox Health home testing kits.
“Our range of specialised health packages enable you to take control of your health, using our innovative diagnostic technologies which can give a comprehensive overview of an individual’s health, helping to detect the earliest signs of illness. Together we can work towards preventative healthcare.”
Claudia Nicholls, Chief Customer Officer for Simplyhealth said “A better understanding of the body can empower people to make diet and lifestyle changes that could help prevent future illness. We are passionate about making healthcare more accessible to all and our partnership with Randox Health is just one of the ways we are helping people to take more control of their health and prevent them from becoming ill.
Simplyhealth’s Health Plan for businesses can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any workforce and is available for under £5 per employee, per month, making it more accessible and easier to offer the entire workforce cover. Individuals can access the service as part of Simplyhealth’s 1-2-3 Health Plan from just £20 a month.
