0
0
Birmingham, UK – Linear Diagnostics, a spin-out company, has been awarded £1 million in funding to finalize the development of a rapid test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The project is a collaborative effort with the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation and the North East Innovation Lab, which is part of Newcastle Hospitals.
The funding, provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Invention for Innovation program, will support a three-year work package. The work will culminate in the first test of the technology on clinical samples in a real-world setting, preparing it for clinical trials.
Linear’s technology, known as Exponential Amplification (EXPAR), is designed to detect bacterial DNA using a rapid signal amplification method. Originally developed and tested at the University during the COVID-19 pandemic, the technology has been shown to detect bacterial STIs, urinary tract infections, and viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2, in as little as 5 minutes.
The company has focused on STIs, particularly Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. The emergence of multi-drug-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae has raised global concerns, making rapid testing essential to halt transmission by enabling quick diagnosis and treatment within a single clinic visit. Current tests often fail to meet the target of providing results within 20 minutes from sample collection.
Dr. Jean-Louis Duprey, Head of Research and Development at Linear Diagnostics, stated that the funding would enable the company to finalize the design of a cartridge and reader design platform and validate it.
The HRC will evaluate the technology. Dr. Jana Suklan, Senior Methodologist at the HRC, noted that the collaboration would help pinpoint how the platform can be developed and used to improve patient care.
John Tyson, Head of the North East Innovation Lab, emphasized the opportunity to support the development and evaluation of this new test through access to clinical samples and NHS lab performance testing.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of June 5, 2025, and is for informational purposes only.
