UK Diagnostic CDMO boosts Lyo bead output threefold
Point of Care diagnostics is reshaping the way healthcare is delivered, driving demand for faster results, decentralised testing, and scalable manufacturing.
To meet this demand Biofortuna, an independent UK CDMO, has developed a bespoke robotic manufacturing and quality control system which will increase lyo bead output threefold.
The Wales based diagnostic specialist has been at the forefront of lyo development for almost two decades and is now increasing its focus on bead technology.
Lyo beads are robust spheres of single dose reagent, perfectly suited to Point of Care diagnostics, that remove the environmental impact of cold chain.
To maximise the benefits of the single dose nature of lyo beads, customers increasingly require the beads to be packed individually, for picking and packing into microfluidic devices.
This new robotic addition to the team, known as BeadBot™, accurately singularises large batches of beads and packs them individually. An optical check then ensures no omissions or doubles, delivering 100% accuracy at a rate of 20 beads per second.
BeadBot™ has been specifically designed for this process and created in partnership with the Welsh Government’s “SMART Flexible Innovation Support” initiative, which contributed £225k towards the project.
Chief Operating Officer for Biofortuna, Dr Nick Leaves, commented:
“The addition of BeadBot™ will further strengthen our bespoke manufacturing infrastructure, accelerating our market penetration in a rapidly growing and essential segment of the diagnostics market. This is great example of what can be achieved when Government and Industry work together.”
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, added:
“We are committed to fostering a culture of innovation which will improve the lives of people across Wales. This includes building a Welsh economy based on the industries and services of the future.
“This pioneering processing system from Biofortuna will boost productivity significantly and positions the company to increase its share of a rapidly growing global market, protecting skilled jobs and creating the need for new ones.
“It also further strengthens Wales’ reputation for excellence in the dynamic life sciences and advanced manufacturing sectors.”
About Biofortuna
Biofortuna is a specialist laboratory services and diagnostic Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (‘CDMO’). Biofortuna provide cell line QC testing, custom assay development, contract manufacturing and controlled environment storage solutions to empower their global partners in healthcare, biotechnology and academia to advance innovative life sciences and diagnostic applications in health and wellbeing.
The Company is ISO13485 and ISO17025 accredited, FDA registered, accredited by UK Government Ministry of Justice for DNA Relationship Testing and licensed by the Home Office for the storage of controlled drugs, the Human Tissue Authority and The Animal and Plant Agency.