From Fear to Freedom: A QC Data Management Revolution
From Fear to Freedom: A QC Data Management Revolution
What if we told you we had a solution to the multitude of monotonous hours spent analysing reams of IQC data and could provide you with an intuitive tool packed with comprehensive and customisable reports, interactive charts, and automated statistical analysis to help improve your QC data management?
Perhaps it sounds too good to be true?
This time, it isn’t.
Uncertainty of Measurement. 6Sigma. QC Multi-rules. These words can strike fear into the hearts of even the most experienced laboratory staff.
With Acusera 24.7, we’ve reached under the bed and forced the monster that is advanced statistical analysis out into the cold.
Acusera 24.7 is a live, cloud-based, interlaboratory QC data management and peer group comparison software.
A mouthful. I know.
But let’s break it down.
A live, cloud-based software means you can access your QC data from anywhere, anytime.
Bid farewell to the labyrinth of folders you hunt through when troubleshooting or looking for a specific dataset.
Interlaboratory management describes the momentous task many QC managers face – monitoring the QC performance of multiple laboratories in different locations, ensuring they all maintain the high standards required for accreditation and accurate patient results.
Unlike some big-name subscription services, we encourage you to use our software at different locations to help you monitor all your laboratories and instruments to see how their results stack up against one another.
Acusera 24.7 provides multiple levels of access which are completely customisable. This allows you to grant or restrict access to different parts of the software depending on what is required by your staff. This also allows QC managers to view data from all their sites in one location without needing multiple email chains from each laboratory.
Peer group comparison? Isn’t that what EQA is for?
Well, you would be right.
Yes, EQA does provide a comparison with your peer group, but it doesn’t have exclusive rights.
There are many benefits to comparing your IQC data with your peer group. The real-time comparison data aids with troubleshooting, or you can show off how great you are to your friends and colleagues.
You can select your peer group for an instrument, method and more, providing you with a comprehensive picture of how your laboratory performance compares to your peers using the same lot of control.
There are no submission deadlines. One less thing for you to worry about.
Still think it sounds too good to be true?
Then let’s look at some of the software features and how they can be used to make your daily QC data management easier.
Charts
For many laboratories, review of their QC data is a momentous task involving an abundance of printouts with different data tables and graphs and hastily scribbled notes going back maybe months, if not years.
With Acusera 24.7’s interactive Levey-Jennings charts, you can see the QC data from a specified date range. This helps visualise trends and biases over any period to simplify the troubleshooting and lot validation processes, or, can be used as evidence during accreditation assessments. These charts can be generated for a single analyte or for multiple analytes and QC levels.
You can also add events to the graph to record factors that might impact the performance of your analyser such as preventive maintenance, calibrations or switching QC lots. So, when you come to review the QC data and see a shift in the results, you can see at a glance if there was an explanation for the change in QC results.
What’s more, the points plotted on the chart will appear in orange or red if they trigger your alert or reject protocols respectively. Those that appear as a triangle indicate a comment is attached. Comments can be added to any data point directly on the Levey-Jennings chart, allowing you to record any information relevant to the data, saving you time, not to mention the cost of all those sticky notes.
This complements the Panel feature of the software. Within Acusera 24.7 you can create a panel of tests, for example, a Liver Function Test panel, grouping all the tests together. You can then view all the QC data for this panel at the click of a few buttons. Shown below is the collective data for a clinical chemistry panel.
When you do need the paper copy, all the charts and reports found in Acusera 24.7 can be exported to Excel or PDF for independent analysis or printing, making it easy to bring your data to meetings or for hardcopy filing and audits.
For peer group comparison, you can get a performance summary chart. This chart basically does the analysis for you! You define the date and time range, and the software looks at all the data points within it for you and your peer group, comparing individual data, means, CVs and SDs. Like our other charts, you can combine any number of these for multi-analyte analysis.
Advanced Statistics
Some people love statistics. Others can think of nothing worse.
Either way, there’s a lot of work involved in advanced statistical analysis.
Even if you’re in the love camp, you might find yourself sickened before you’ve finished this metaphorical jar of marmite.
The role of a pathology laboratory is not to run QC and show off their statistical skills, but to provide accurate and appropriate patient results.
As the old saying goes, time is money.
But in your case, time is the difference between a fast or delayed diagnosis for a patient.
This may impact their condition or treatment.
By making use of the suite of statistical options included in Acusera 24.7, including QC Multi-rules, 6Sigma and Uncertainty of Measurement, you can focus on providing the most accurate and efficient testing for patients.
Data Entry
To save even more time, Acusera 24.7 can be integrated with many LIMS or Middleware packages for fully automated data transfer. At a predefined time, your internal software will send your QC data to a shared folder on your network and from there to a Randox Cloud IP address, meaning we don’t go into your IT system and take anything; we won’t cause any information security problems. This data is then taken from the cloud and populated onto 24.7.
All this in less time than it takes you to say, ‘fully automated data transfer.’
You can also import your data through a semi-automated upload procedure. For this, the data is exported from your LIMS or middleware and imported manually to your Acusera 24.7 account using an EDI import file. Simply put, all you have to do is send the file, and the software will populate it onto the system. Alternatively, you can upload the data manually on the simple and intuitive data entry page.
Acusera 24.7, while comprehensive and initially daunting due to its vast array of features, is incredibly easy to use. The Acusera 24.7 and QC operations teams are always eager to help new and existing Acusera 24.7 users with any issues they experience. We provide complete onboarding assistance and full training on the software for new customers while delivering prompt and effective customer support for existing users.
We’ve only begun to cover the range of features available on Acusera 24.7 for QC data management! For more information or to arrange a demo, get in touch with our team at marketing@randox.com. Or, you can take a look at our website here.
Differentiating Viral from Bacterial Infections
Estimates claim that over 1.2 million people died in 2019 as a direct result of an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection. Statistics show that up to 4.95 million deaths in the same year were associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR)1. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics is considered to be the largest contributing factor to the rise of AMR. Antibiotics are effective at treating a wide range of bacterial infections, however, when used to treat viral infections, they have little to no effect. Even still, many physicians continue to prescribe so-called empirical antibiotics as an all-encompassing treatment strategy. In their defence, differentiating viral from bacterial infections can be troublesome. Traditional testing takes the form of paired serology, which requires patients to visit a healthcare facility twice during a 2–4-week period. Many of these infections have distressing symptoms, making this an unreasonable time-to-diagnosis period. Novel molecular techniques can reduce the time to result in the determination of many infections. However, some of these methods are associated with high false positive rates and low specificity resulting in further misuse of antibiotics.
Mxyovirus resistance protein A (MxA) is a biomarker associated with viral infections. It displays antiviral activity against positive, double-stranded RNA viruses and some DNA viruses2. In a study from earlier this year, MxA was used to differentiate viral from bacterial infections in a cohort of 61 adults with an AUROC of 0.9 and a sensitivity and specificity of 92.3% and 84.6% respectively3. An additional study, known as the TREND study, found that a cut-off of 430μg/L could effectively differentiate bacterial and viral infections with an AUROC of 0.9, a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100%4.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a non-specific acute phase protein which is associated with bacterial infection. However, CRP levels have also been shown to be elevated in response to various viral infections such as Influenza virus, malaria5 and SARS-COV-26, limiting its utility in differentiating the aetiology of an infection.
Using both biomarkers in combination can help physicians determine the true aetiology of infection with high specificity, supporting antimicrobial stewardship and reducing the harmful use of these drugs. Available on the VeraSTAT, Randox provides tests for MxA and CRP, which together provide a fast and accurate method of detection and differentiation of bacterial and viral infections from a small sample.
We have provided an educational guide which describes these biomarkers and their usefulness in the arena of viral and bacterial detection. If you’re interested in learning more, you can find our educational guide here.
Differentiating Viral from Bacterial Infections
Alternatively, don’t hesitate to browse our range on our website or get in touch with one of our team at marketing@randox.com who will be happy to help with any query you have!
References
- Murray CJL, Ikuta KS, Sharara F, et al. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis. The Lancet. 2022;399(10325):629-655. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02724-0
- Liao S, Gao S. MxA: a broadly acting effector of interferon-induced human innate immunity. Visualized Cancer Medicine. 2022;3:2. doi:10.1051/vcm/2022002
- Metz M, Gualdoni GA, Winkler HM, et al. MxA for differentiating viral and bacterial infections in adults: a prospective, exploratory study. Infection. Published online February 3, 2023. doi:10.1007/s15010-023-01986-0
- Rhedin S, Eklundh A, Ryd-Rinder M, et al. Myxovirus resistance protein A for discriminating between viral and bacterial lower respiratory tract infections in children – The TREND study. Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 2022;28(9):1251-1257. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2022.05.008
- Joseph P, Godofsky E. Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship: A Growing Frontier—Combining Myxovirus Resistance Protein A With Other Biomarkers to Improve Antibiotic Use. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2018;5(2). doi:10.1093/ofid/ofy024
- Paranga TG, Pavel-Tanasa M, Constantinescu D, et al. Comparison of C-reactive protein with distinct hyperinflammatory biomarkers in association with COVID-19 severity, mortality and SARS-CoV-2 variants. Front Immunol. 2023;14. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1213246
RX Imola: Inflammatory Biomarkers in COVID-19
Over the course of human history, few events have had such a dramatic impact as the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 12th July 2023, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has claimed almost 7 million lives and figures continue to rise1. While many who become infected are only subject to mild symptoms, those who develop a more severe form of the infection are encumbered with a debilitating flu-like condition, often requiring days, if not weeks of bed rest. In a paper from June 20232, the Rx Imola was used to study C reactive protein concentrations, along with other biomarkers, in mild and severe COVID-19 patients in order to develop novel risk stratification methods for this potentially life-threatening viral infection.
The impact on healthcare services around the world cannot be understated. In developed countries, access to services for both COVID-related and other conditions took a catastrophic hit. In low-to-middle-income countries, the impact has been even more distressing, all but eliminating basic medical care in favour of combating COVID-19, partly due to inferior resources and facilities3.
In times of medical emergency, it is crucial to have an efficient and effective means of stratifying the risk to patients and a process for suitably categorising those into the least and most at risk of severe complications or death. Due to the rate at which COVID-19 spread, unfortunately, the world lacked these mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2, resulting in mass hospital overpopulation, cancelled appointments for other life-threatening conditions and ultimately the staggering mortality statistics we’ve been bombarded with since January 2022. This prompted an unprecedented surge in medical research and major advances in testing capabilities, giving us new methods of detecting SARS-CoV-2 and determining the risk posed to individuals.
One such investigation, by Paranga et al., (2023) studied a total of 13 biomarkers to determine which could accurately differentiate mild, moderate, and severe cases and identify biomarkers which were good predictors of fatality2. C reactive protein (CRP) was the best-described biomarker relating to COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. This paper compares it to 12 other biomarkers including suPAR, sTREM-1, ferritin, MCP-1 and Lactate dehydrogenase. Of these, it was discovered that CRP was clearly the most effective biomarker for differentiating mild from severe cases, with concentrations in those with severe infection being, on average, 45% higher than in those with mild symptoms2. Additionally, the authors discovered that CRP levels were not significantly affected by age, a factor known to affect the inflammation and immune responses, providing a powerful and inclusive risk stratification tool. Some of the additional conclusions drawn from this paper can be seen below2:
- Lactate dehydrogenase, sTREM-1 and HGF were good predictors of mortality in COVID-19.
- suPAR was identified as a crucial molecule in characterising Delta variant infection and mortality.
- The initial values of inflammatory biomarkers were good to excellent predictors of disease severity in COVID-19 patients.
- Disease severity and mortality are associated with a higher rate of comorbidities including thrombocytopenia and other blood diseases, circulatory and respiratory system diseases and liver diseases such as cirrhosis.
So, what is CRP and how does it become elevated in response to a SARS-CoV-2 infection? CRP is a non-specific, acute-phase protein, meaning its concentration is altered in response to inflammation4. The acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by SARS-CoV-2 is, in part, a result of the hyperinflammation caused by the virus2. CRP is a well-characterised inflammatory biomarker and is therefore well-suited for identification and risk stratification in an emerging disease.
This investigation2 utilised the RX Imola, a rapid, comprehensive clinical chemistry platform, to quantify CRP. With the RX Imola, laboratories can gain access to the world’s largest clinical chemistry test menu covering routine chemistries as well as specific proteins, lipids, and more providing a cost-effective and user-friendly platform. With 60 cooled reagent positions and a sample carousel with 20 cooled positions for controls and calibrators, the RX Imola is an ideal solution for small to medium-throughput laboratories seeking an innovative and reliable clinical chemistry system. Randox also supplies suitable, high-quality reagents, and through Acusera, state-of-the-art controls and calibrators, completing the clinical chemistry portfolio.
References
1. World Health Organisation. WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. https://covid19.who.int/.
2. Paranga TG, Pavel-Tanasa M, Constantinescu D, et al. Comparison of C-reactive protein with distinct hyperinflammatory biomarkers in association with COVID-19 severity, mortality and SARS-CoV-2 variants. Front Immunol. 2023;14. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1213246
3. Jain P. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Healthcare Systems and the role of a new era of global collaborations. Sushruta Journal of Health Policy & Opinion. 2021;14(3):1-5. doi:10.38192/14.3.2
4. Nehring S. C Reactive Protein . https://www.statpearls.com/articlelibrary/viewarticle/18744/.
BioReagents
BioReagents
Randox Biosciences have been a world-leading primary manufacture of high quality antibodies, proteins and conjugates for over 40 years.
With an extensive portfolio of over 900 high quality monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, antibody fragments including sdAb’s, scFv’s and fAb’s, human recombinant proteins and conjugates, allow us to successfully assist with any new product development, research and partnership needs.
Our team of scientists possess unrivaled expertise which enables us to provide you with a comprehensive suite of products and services dedicated to advancing biopharmaceutical research and diagnostics. A custom development service is also available.
From initial cultivation of raw materials for assay development, through to providing companion diagnostics, custom and molecular based assays across a range of therapeutic areas; Randox BioReagents is a trusted partner supplying quality diagnostic solutions to the clinical, life science, pharmaceutical, research and biopharma industries.
We take pride in our development and quality, which reflect the components used in-house in the product of Randox diagnostics and research. With many unique and novel solutions for a wide range of applications, our standards not only meet unmet market needs but the ability to offer a world-class service meeting all customer requirements including custom developments upon request, in a wide range of pack sizes, producing excellent reproducibility, higher sensitivity and specificity for a multitude of projects.
Our Range of BioReagents
Randox Professor of Medicine: Ulster University Announces Creation of New Role at Brand New School of Medicine
Wednesday 23 June 2021
Ulster University Announces Creation of New Role at Brand New School of Medicine: the Randox Professor of Medicine
Ulster University has received £1.2million in funding for medical education and research from Randox Laboratories Ltd. Thanks to this generous donation from Randox Laboratories, the University is creating its first Professor of Medicine post, to be titled, the Randox Professor of Medicine.
This will be a clinical and academic post so the appointee to the Randox Professorship will provide educational leadership, teaching and training thus inspiring the next generation of doctors and researchers in the area.
Alongside education, the post holder will develop a research portfolio in line with the research strategy of the School of Medicine and ambitions included in the Health Research Institute-THRIVE (HRI-THRIVE) Project as part of the Derry and Strabane City Deal.
The successful appointee to the Randox Professorship will have an outstanding track-record in medical research with the experience, vision and enthusiasm to build on current strengths in the University and develop a leading research presence in the School of Medicine.
The Randox Professor will be part of a vibrant and intellectually stimulating translational research community both within the School of Medicine and C-TRIC and will have access to the leading research facilities which the University offers. They will have the opportunity to collaborate with existing researchers in personalised medicine and influence the research and innovation direction of the proposed THRIVE Research Units that currently include: Blood Cancer; Cardiovascular Research and Improvement Science; Neuromuscular Health (Motor Neuron Disease, MS, Parkinson’s Disease); Brain Health (Depression, psychosis, Alzheimer’s Disease); Orthopaedic and Rheumatic Health; and Multiple Long-term Conditions.
The Randox professor will deliver clinical care within the Western Trust, contributing directly to patient care and improving health outcomes for our local community.
Dr Catherine McDonnell, Medical Director at the Western Trust, is excited at the new appointment:
“This is a unique opportunity, and shows what can be achieved with collaborative working and by forging partnerships between organisations.
“The Randox Professorship will play a crucial role in the delivery of patient care in the months and years ahead, and will help us bring in fresh expertise to what is already a very strong team on the ground.
“We would like to thank both Ulster University and Randox Laboratories for partnering in this exciting venture, which we believe will have a very positive impact on our patients and the Western Trust overall.”
Pictured left to right are Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director, Randox Laboratories, and Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor at Ulster University
The post will report into the Foundation Dean of the School of Medicine and recruitment will commence in the coming weeks.
The role will be supported by Randox Laboratories for a period of 5 years.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director, Randox Laboratories said:
“At this time of rapid and significant change within medicine, it is imperative that industry, academia and medical education are aligned to improve both patient outcomes and the efficiency of healthcare services. The announcement of the new post of Randox Professor of Medicine within the new Ulster University School of Medicine shows our commitment to these critical national priorities. Ulster University and Randox are both renowned globally for healthcare research and education, particularly in the field of diagnostics, and together provide a vital platform to support the next generation of aspirational clinicians – to develop critical skills, make a positive difference to patient healthcare around the world, and cement Northern Ireland’s reputation as a global hub for life sciences.”
Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor at Ulster University added:
“By opening the School of Medicine in August we are committing to address the acute shortage of doctors in Northern Ireland and to recruit students and staff who will be locally focused yet globally ambitious. The appointment of the Randox Professor of Medicine will enable us to further this ambition and allow us to enhance the University’s existing expertise and research excellence in personalised medicine diagnostics and contribute to expanding the medical diagnostics sector. With the strong emphasis on personalised medicine in the Derry and Strabane City Deal, the Randox Professor of Medicine will join us at an exciting time for the region.
“The University sees the ground breaking Randox Professorship as an opportunity to further our long standing partnership with Randox so that we might together have a unique opportunity to support clinical medicine, enhance the quality of patient care through highly relevant translational research and inspire the next generation of doctors.”
Professor Louise Dubras, Foundation Dean, School of Medicine at Ulster University, added:
“As we look forward to our first students arriving in August this year, we are excited to be progressing this role, the first of our “second wave”, to complement the exceptional staff team in place to deliver the first year of the programme. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an inspirational academic clinical leader to shape the direction of clinical and translational research within the School of Medicine. I’m looking for an outstanding candidate with a wealth of teaching experience and a passion for related research which will inform teaching. This candidate will join me and the incredible team we have put together to teach the doctors of the future.”
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team on amy.millar@randox.com or 028 9442 2413
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit Ulster University.
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Randox Biosciences Launch New Website
Randox Biosciences is delighted to officially announce the launch of our new website which offers a sleek, simple yet informative platform to further your knowledge of our product range and how we can assist you.
After six months of hard work and dedication the website has a fresh look. The interactive aspect of the website provides an easy way for our visitors to learn about Randox Biosciences products and services.
The improved interactive navigation ensures the user enjoys a seamless transition through Randox Biosciences extensive range of products and services with a better experience for both mobile and desktop versions. Potential customers will be able to identify with ease which client segment they fit into – whether it be Academic Research, Biopharma or Clinical Laboratory, enjoying a fully responsive experience.
During the redesign of the Randox Biosciences website we ensured that the brand identity remained consistent throughout, incorporating the brand colours across the site. We in cooperated GIFS (Graphics Interchange Format or moving images) on the top of the homepage as the main header of the website to automatically attract visitors with a moving graphic.
The GIF represents the Biochip Array Technology and the two different diagnostics testing we offer at Randox Biosciences. The GIFs images were continued throughout the website to highlight the three industries we cater for. Brochure downloads are also available on the new website for customers to enhance their knowledge with more in-depth information of Randox’s products and services.
The incorporation of an overview video on the homepage enables website users to gain a snapshot view of Randox Biosciences products and services. The idea of presenting the video first is to allow the visitor to understand our company from a visual method rather than processing a lot of written information.
73% of consumers worldwide would prefer seeing a video than text because they are more “entertaining”.1 The video itself, captures exactly what Randox Biosciences is and what we do. A short yet effective video clearly illustrates the science behind of Randox Biosciences and how this reaches the patient through drug discovery and development.
Julie-Ann O’Hare, Director of Randox Biosciences, commented:
“I am thrilled with the final product of the website, which I hope our current and potential customers will utilise it with ease. The website is another aspect of aligning our marketing strategy and branding to ensure our messaging is clear, concise and consistent across the board. We look forward to the continuation of promoting Randox Biosciences in the digital landscape throughout 2019.”
An e-commerce section of the website is under construction for the sale of our BioReagent products, which they are very excited to launch upon completion in Q3.
Check out our new and improved website for yourself. It is available at: https://www.randoxbiosciences.com/. Also, to find out more email us at info@randoxbiosciences.com
- http://rocketium.com/academy/6-reasons-why-customers-prefer-video-ads-to-the-text-ones
UK Research and Innovation CEO Sir Mark Walport visits Randox
From cybersecurity and immersive technologies to restoration Shakespeare, new diagnostic tools and aerospace, Northern Ireland is home to world class research and innovation.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is celebrating excellence in Northern Ireland by showcasing some of the leading work taking place in the country ahead of an engagement event in the Ormeau Baths on the evening of Tuesday 29th January 2019.
Ahead of the event, UKRI Chief Executive Professor Sir Mark Walport paid a visit to the Randox Science Park in Antrim, to learn more about the innovative diagnostic technologies we develop for hospitals, clinical, research and molecular labs, food testing, forensic toxicology, veterinary labs and life sciences.
UKRI Chief Executive Professor Sir Mark Walport said:
“Research and innovation excellence in Northern Ireland plays an important role in the UK’s success on the world stage. Its universities, innovation networks and leading businesses are an integral part of the UK’s research landscape. With UKRI support, they are pushing boundaries in areas such as healthcare, digital technologies and aerospace.”
The visit by Sir Walport follows our announcement in December 2018 that UKRI had awarded Randox a grant of £700,000 as part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) to further develop our state-of-the-art ‘freeze-drying’ technology. This enables the components of vital diagnostic kits to be manufactured, stored and transported more effectively, producing better and speedier diagnoses.
Earlier in the year we also announced a £50 million investment in three new research and development Centres of Excellence for clinical diagnostics.
The UKRI reception at Ormeau Baths, which is now home to a Digital Catapult Centre, supporting the innovation community in the heart of Belfast, will celebrate Randox research projects such as the Centres of Excellence, as well as those of other companies in Northern Ireland, including a £13 million collaboration to boost the flourishing creative sector, part of the £80m UK-wide Creative Cluster programme. Current UKRI investment in Northern Ireland includes more than £78 million invested in active research projects.
The event celebrates the diverse research and innovation excellence in Northern Ireland and is an opportunity to discuss future ambitions.
It will be hosted by Professor Walport, with speakers including David Sterling, Head of the Civil Service of Northern Ireland; Professor Paddy Nixon, Vice-Chancellor and President of Ulster University; and Professor Máire O’Neill, Institute of Electronics, Communications & Information Technology at Queen’s University Belfast, and follows Sir Mark Walport’s visit to Randox Laboratories and also Bombardier, the world’s leading manufacturer of both planes and trains.
We were delighted to host Sir Mark Walport at the Randox Science Park and are looking forward to celebrating the success of Northern Ireland research and development at the UK Research and Innovation event this evening.
For further information please contact Randox PR by phoning 028 9442 2413 or emailing randoxpr@randox.com
£700,000 UK government investment in Randox R&D
A £700,000 UK Research and Innovation investment into manufacturing processes at Randox means patients could benefit from quicker, cheaper and more consistent diagnosis of diseases.
The announcement comes exactly one year after the government launched its modern Industrial Strategy – the long-term plan to boost productivity by backing businesses to create high-quality, well-paid jobs in every corner of the United Kingdom.
The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) award, administered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will allow Randox Laboratories to further develop its state-of-the-art ‘freeze-drying’ technology which enables the components of vital diagnostic kits to be manufactured, stored and transported more effectively, producing better and speedier diagnoses.
For the first time it also allows this complicated manufacturing process to be carried out in the UK rather than having to be outsourced to countries such as the United States, bringing more jobs and economic growth. These new genomic analysis tools also have the potential to make a major impact in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance by identifying and quickly sharing information about resistant microbial strains.
More in-depth analysis of biomarkers in blood and other bodily fluid levels will allow better, quicker diagnosis of cancers and a range of other diseases, ranging from respiratory infections to sepsis, such as blood poisoning.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said:
“I am delighted to announce a £700,000k UK Government investment in Randox, a multinational life sciences company in County Antrim. This funding will bring significant benefits to Randox’s vital medical diagnostics and help create well-paid manufacturing jobs in Northern Ireland.
“A year-on from the launch of our Modern Industrial Strategy, this investment highlights the great progress we are making to boost productivity by backing leading businesses and creating high-quality jobs in every corner of the United Kingdom.”
John Penrose, Minister of State for Northern Ireland, who visited Randox today to mark the new investment, said:
“Everyone always says the UK needs more high-tec, high-value added manufacturing and the high-skilled, high-waged jobs it brings. But Randox are actually doing it right here in Northern Ireland. This is properly world leading, cutting-edge industry and I’m delighted that today’s money is helping bring the vision to life.”
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, commented:
“Innovative diagnostic technologies are not only capable of diagnosing disease and ill-health at the earliest possible stage, but they also have a real potential to advance personalised medicine. Our commitment to developing new and exciting breakthroughs in science, technology, engineering and manufacturing is therefore matched only, by our passion to transform the life of the patient. Randox is leading the way in moving from a one-size-fits-all approach towards decisions, practices, and products tailored to the needs of the individual and the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund award brings us one step closer to realising that aim.”
Funded through UK Research and Innovation, the award forms part of the ISCF Early Diagnosis and Precision Medicine programme, focusing on the use of diagnostic information and genetic analysis to drive more personalised healthcare. Innovate UK, now part of UK Research and Innovation, has supported Randox extensively since 2010, helping grow and scale an innovative diagnostics company who are now distributing their products all over the world.
The announcement comes after the government’s announcement of the Life Sciences Sector Deal that will support healthcare innovation and back businesses to create high-paid, high-quality jobs as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy. The deal signals a vote in confidence in UK industry, with global biopharmaceutical company UCB investing around £1 billion in research and development.
For further information please contact Randox PR by emailing randoxpr@randox.com
Metabolic Syndrome Array II Quality Control
A multi-analyte quality control with target values and ranges provided for 3 parameters associated with metabolic syndrome.
Features & Benefits
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- 100% human material
- Stable to expiry date at 2oC – 8oC
- Reconstituted stability of 72 hours at 2oC – 8oC and 7 days at -20°C
- Assayed values available for Randox Biochip systems
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metabolic Syndrome Array II Control | 3 x 3 x 1ml | 3 | EV3761 | |
| Metabolic Syndrome Array II Calibrator | 9 x 1 ml | 3 | EV3760 |
Analytes
- Adiponectin
- CRP
- Cystatin C
Randox collaboration with Centre for Personalised Medicine is officially launched
A €8.6m EU funded cross-border Centre for Personalised Medicine that will improve clinical decision making and patient safety for dementia, diabetes, cardiovascular, acute kidney injury and emergency surgery has been officially launched.
Funded by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the Centre for Personalised Medicine brings together 14 academic, healthcare provider and enterprise partner organisations, including Randox Laboratories, to work together to deliver practical solutions to clinicians to ensure that patients get the right treatment at the right time.
Personalised medicine moves away from the ‘one size, fits all’ approach, using state of the art genomics testing, technology and computing and intelligence systems to deliver a more targeted approach.
Lead investigator of the Centre, Professor Tony Bjourson, Professor of Genomics at Ulster University and Director of the Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine said:
“The Centre for Personalised Medicine will bring personalised medicine approaches to five of the most prevalent disease areas to improve the care and treatment of patients in Northern Ireland, the border region of Ireland and Western Scotland. This collaboration extends partnership working to key clinicians in the health sector ensuring that we address real world issues across the five disease areas.”
Dr Kenneth Martin, Senior R&D Scientist at Randox Laboratories, explained Randox’s role in the Centre for Personalised Medicine;
“Our highly committed R&D programme here at Randox means that we have more than 490 new tests currently in development – more than any other diagnostics company – across a range of pressing health challenges, including dementia, cardio-metabolic syndrome and renal disease. These tests, developed on our patented Biochip Array Technology which can conduct multiple patient tests simultaneously, can work to identify patients who will benefit from tailored therapeutics for enhanced efficacy. The CPM project will use Randox Arrays in four of the five research clusters in the project to determine how the information they provide can benefit clinical decision making. We aim to provide clinicians with the tools they need to make more accurate and better-informed decisions for their patients. This means that countermeasures can be taken at the earliest possible opportunity, when treatment is most likely to succeed.”
Welcoming the project Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body, said:
“This project reflects one of the core objectives of the INTERREG VA Programme, to improve access to healthcare services for thousands of citizens. It has great potential as it will bring together a diverse range of cross-border partners to significantly improve clinical decision-making, and personalised treatment approaches, in the fight against five of the most common diseases.”
Match-funding for this project has been provided by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in Ireland and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland.
For more information on the Centre for Personalised Medicine please contact the Randox PR team on 028 9442 2413 or by emailing randoxpr@randox.com
