Medtech firm Elucigene targets US for next stage of export drive

Manchester-based Eluigene is launching its cystic fibrosis product in the United States in the next year. 

Bosses at medtech firm Elucigene has revealed plans to expand into America. 

Elucigene Diagnostics’ based at Manchester Science Partnerships’ Citylabs 1.0 facility on Oxford Road, has grown from just five staff to 31 in the last four years. 

Chief Executive Mark Street-Docherty said the company has ambitious plans for further export-led growth by targeting its cystic fibrosis product in the United States. 

He made the statement after receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise from the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. 

The Lord-Lieutenant, Warren Smith, was guest of honour at a ceremony also attended by employees, partners and advisers.

Describing the award as a 'remarkable achievement', the Lord-Lieutenant said: “These awards are not easily earned. This year 152 awards for international trade have been made nationally, 15 in the North West and this is one of five in Greater Manchester.

“The award is not to an individual, not to the management but to the whole workforce. It does, however, reflect outstanding vision, creativity,sound management, good communication and enthusiastic and loyal workforce. 

“If one word encapsulates it, it is teamwork, and I hope that this award will be of tangible benefit to Elucigene Diagnostics in the future. 

“Both your competitors and your customers will recognise this as a major achievement, and it is certainly a high standard to live up to but it is an incentive to make even further progress in the years ahead.” 

Street-Docherty said: "We are very proud of the Queen’s Award, but we are not standing still. We have our sights set on launching our cystic fibrosis product in the United States in the next 12-18 months. The US is the world’s largest healthcare market so there is a very substantial opportunity for us there. 

“We also have some ground-breaking and innovative companion diagnostics products to bring to market in the next six months, which is also extremely exciting.”