Our specialisms
Next-generation diagnostics
Diagnostic technology is evolving beyond standalone devices that give a single set of results into a personalised health ecosystem. Today, data collected over time can be analysed to identify trends and provide clinical insights, both in the doctor’s surgery and at home.
This requires already complex devices to become even more capable, integrated, intuitive and cost-effective. Our expertise in biosensors, wireless communications, industrial design, systems engineering and digital health empowers our clients to exploit these new opportunities.
Point of Care molecular diagnostics
As Point of Care (PoC) diagnostic devices become increasingly sophisticated, further integration of remote PoC tests into hospital data management systems provides clinicians with crucial information and actionable results quickly.
Designing these complex devices, which may involve sophisticated techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), requires a large multidisciplinary team to integrate wet chemistry with engineering. Our market knowledge, combined with human factors, industrial design and user experience expertise, leads to breakthrough devices that meet the challenges of decentralised testing.
Liquid biopsy and cancer
Although still in its infancy, the ability to monitor patients’ progress through frequent blood tests promises to revolutionise the treatment of cancer. Through a combination of engineering, design and digital health expertise, we’re helping our clients lead the way in personalised medicine.
Having designed some of the most complex medical devices in the world, we’re adept at using powerful technologies, such as digital PCR and next-generation sequencing, to create advanced liquid biopsy diagnostic platforms.
Artificial intelligence and diagnostics support
Many regions of the world, including developed countries, have insufficient expert clinical coverage, requiring data to be sent elsewhere for analysis. The use of cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) to support clinical data evaluation can bring much needed, cost-effective diagnostic expertise to remote locations.
From image and data analysis to the detection of patterns in voice, sleep and other physiological markers, our expertise in machine learning, AI and digital health leads to innovative diagnostic solutions for a variety of applications.
Diagnostics market analysis
Many companies start out with a great detection idea then look for funding to develop their concept. Creating a compelling business case requires a clear understanding of the market need, the limitations of current products and the potential growth of the specific segment.
Our strategy consulting team specialise in primary and secondary market research, technical due diligence for acquisitions and compiling core business case information. Many clients carry out an initial study with us in order to support further funding rounds..
How we work
Due to its complexity, successful diagnostic device development requires a diverse range of skills. We provide the experience and insight necessary to transform our clients’ ideas into fully realised products ready for manufacture.
By complementing our clients’ own expertise and experience, we are better able to manage development risks, resulting in increased confidence, reduced timelines and market-ready diagnostic products.
Interested in joining us?
Tech, tools & facilities
Life science labs
Our suite of restricted Class II laboratories are specifically designed for handling and experimentation of pharmaceuticals, licensed substances, biological hazards and human samples in a controlled and regulated environment. Our instrumentation rooms are equipped with metrology, microscopy and product test equipment for rigorous verification and quality assurance of prototypes and products.
Synthetic biology lab
Located in our Cambridge head office, our microbiology lab enables us to genetically modify micro-organisms and characterise them. Our facilities are containment level 2 rated for handling pathogenic strains and our in-house libraries allow rapid modular DNA construct design and assembly. We are particularly interested in building organisms that are biological sensors for healthcare and industrial biotech applications.
Microfluidics lab
Our microfluidics lab is equipped to rapidly prototype Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices in a clean environment. We optically inspect functioning test cartridges with state-of-the-art microscopy, and measure particle size distributions with a Spraytec laser diffraction system.
Optics labs
Our suite optics labs enable us to build complex and high-precision optical layouts, typically for testing prototype designs and novel techniques prior to deployment. Featuring six high-spec optical benches with configurable interlocked controlled areas for high-power (class 4) laser work and specialist facilities for interferometry, spectroscopy, low-noise fluorescence imaging and photon counting. This space can be split into separate laser-controlled areas, allowing multiple experiments to run simultaneously, giving our optical engineers the capability to develop creative solutions without instrumentation restrictions.
Electronic production
Our flexible, responsive and agile manufacturing facilities are ideally suited to electronic and electromechanical product builds, enabling us to very quickly set up short product runs built to an extremely high quality. We can build our own PCBAs using industrial representative equipment and ensure manufacture-ability during design. Having our own EPD facility is also extremely helpful in development, driving out DfX activities in eCAD, and feeding test results back into the design process from an early stage.
Prototyping workshops
Our electronic and mechanical prototyping workshops allow us to produce technically credible prototypes that bring ideas to life and offer a powerful demonstration of their value. All while maintaining extremely high standards of quality that conform to ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and ISO 14001 regulations. Using the latest CNC and milling machines, lathes, welding gear and wire harness and cable assembly tools, we are able to produce parts very quickly and assemble full-scale working prototypes for testing and consumer trials.
We can help you achieve the impossible
