Supercharged lateral-flow-style tests to spot 10 different diseases

UK scientists are developing supercharged lateral-flow-style tests to help identify early signs of up to 10 conditions within minutes. 

The ‘point-of-care’ tests are expected to spot disease markers simultaneously, including cardiovascular conditions and some types of cancer.

Researchers in Oxford and Cambridge say the results will be combined on a smartphone-readable device, similar to a lateral flow test. 

EDX Medical Group PLC, the Cambridge-based company behind the technology, also labelled the rapid tests ‘game changing’. 

Smartphone camera technology, which will help read and interpret the test results, will set new standards for ‘point-of-care’ clinical testing, the company claimed. 

The new, miniaturised ‘point-of-care’ tests are expected to spot the disease markers simultaneously. Among the markers researchers in Oxford and Cambridge are developing include cardiovascular conditions and some types of cancer. Results of the multiple ‘mini tests’ available will be combined on a smartphone-readable device, similar to a lateral flow test

Smartphone camera technology which will also help read and interpret the test results will set new standards for ‘point-of-care’ clinical testing, the company claimed. Point of care testing — also known as near-patient testing — typically allows healthcare professionals to carry out a test using a device or test kit in the presence of the patient and without the need to send a sample to a laboratory

It comes as supermarket giant Tesco , launched a range of at-home health tests in March, allowing customers to pick up self-diagnostic kits designed to spot the early-warning signs of serious conditions, including bowel cancer, kidney disease and even the flu , while doing their weekly shop. Stocked on its website and across more than 500 stores nationwide, the do-it-yourself checks use the same technology behind lateral flow devices

Point of care testing — also known as near-patient testing — typically allows healthcare professionals to carry out a test using a device or test kit in the presence of the patient and without the need to send a sample to a laboratory.

The move follows EDX Medical’s acquisition of Oxford-based Hutano Diagnostics Ltd, which will see scientists in both cities work on accelerating the range of the new tests. 

Cardiovascular disease is the second biggest killer in England, affecting around 6.4million people. 

And a record five million Brits are living with diabetes, which raise the risk of stroke, heart attacks and heart failure. 

Professor Sir Chris Evans, OBE, founder of EDX Medical, said: ‘We are tremendously excited by the prospect of making the most advanced point of care tests available for the benefit of patients everywhere.’ 

He added: ‘This is a great joint endeavour by scientists at Oxford and Cambridge. 

‘Hutano has the ambition and technology to develop truly unique tests which, when combined with EDX chemistry and smartphone expertise, will generate game-changing new digital diagnostic products.’

Meanwhile Dr Mike Hudson, chief executive of EDX Medical, said: ‘The combined expertise and resources of the group puts us in a unique position to fast-track the introduction of a number of clinically important products and establish a new ‘standard’ in point-of-care testing worldwide.’

It comes as supermarket giant Tesco, launched a range of at-home health tests in March, allowing customers to pick up self-diagnostic kits designed to spot the early-warning signs of serious conditions, including bowel cancer, kidney disease and even the flu, while doing their weekly shop.

Stocked on its website and across more than 500 stores nationwide, the do-it-yourself checks use the same technology behind lateral flow devices. 

But at the time experts also warned the tests could provide ‘a false sense of security’ and even have the potential ‘to cause direct harm’.

In August however, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended DIY test kits could spare 100,000 people undergoing colonoscopies for suspected bowel cancer each year. 

Last month, researchers from the University of Exeter also announced it had designed an at-home fingerprick test device that analyses tiny molecules within blood to detect health conditions and diseases.

The team expect to have a similar test for child allergies ready next year, and to be able to use the device to check for the menopause, fertility and healthy ageing by 2025.

And they believe it could one day be used to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s or to predict someone’s individual risk of developing the devastating disease – for the cost of a pregnancy test.