Innovate UK awards Atlas Genetics £2m SBRI phase II Contract

Bath, UK, 14 August, 2017. Atlas Genetics Ltd., the ultra-rapid Point-Of-Care (POC) molecular diagnostics company, today announces that it has been awarded a two year Innovate UK phase II contract to expand the Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) test menu for the io® rapid diagnostic platform and support its adoption into UK sexual health clinics.

Valued at approximately £2m, this contract will bring together Atlas Genetics, Aquarius Population Health (a leading independent health economics consultancy) and the Applied Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Unit (ADREU) at St George’s University of London.

This collaboration will enable further research into diagnostic pathways within sexual health and the benefits of the introduction of POC testing, to be demonstrated by the design of a digital value proposition tool. The project will also include the evaluation of the io® rapid diagnostic platform in several UK sexual health clinics and assist the development of Atlas Genetics’ Multi-STI (io® MSTI) test ahead of clinical trials. io® MSTI is a novel multi-pathogen test for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium.

The io® system is a highly innovative molecular diagnostic platform for the ultra-rapid diagnosis of a broad range of infectious diseases. The system offers a sample-to-answer time of 30 minutes making it possible to carry out infectious disease tests in primary care clinics and physicians’ offices that are as accurate as those carried out in hospital laboratories.

Dr John Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Genetics, said:

“We are delighted to have been selected for this substantial follow-on contract. The work being done by this collaboration will enable us to better understand how best to integrate our io® system into UK sexual health clinical practice. Innovate UK’s commitment to introducing new, pioneering approaches to healthcare validates both our technology and our leading role in molecular diagnostics.”

Dr Elisabeth Adams, Managing Director of Aquarius Population Health commented:

“We are very excited to collaborate on this Innovate UK funded project. Together with Atlas Genetics, we are developing an innovative digital value proposition tool which we believe will help sexual health clinics in their commissioning and adoption of io® rapid diagnostic platform.”

Dr Tariq Sadiq, Director of the Applied Diagnostic and Research Evaluation Unit at St George’s University of London, added: “This is a highly exciting and innovative approach to better understand and overcome the often complex and substantial challenges to getting cutting-edge technology adopted into the NHS. We believe that there are real benefits to using the io® rapid diagnostic platform as patients will be able to receive the appropriate treatment immediately and thereby reduce onward transmission, and ultimately save the NHS time and money."

NOTES TO EDITORS

Atlas Genetics Ltd

Atlas Genetics develops ultra-rapid POC diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. The Atlas Genetics’ io® system uses patented technology based on the use of a novel electrochemical sensor that combines speed, accuracy and multiplex detection capability with low manufacturing costs. The company has its head office and laboratory facilities near Bath in the UK with a commercial office in Boston, MA.

For further information visit www.atlasgenetics.com

Aquarius Population Health

Aquarius Population Health was founded by Dr Elisabeth Adams, and is based in Highgate Village, North London. The multidisciplinary team of expert epidemiologists and health economists, specialise in developing creative ways to explore and solve healthcare problems. They generate independent insight and evidence to support informed decisions that can impact on policy and commercialisation and improve patient care in an efficient way.

For further information visit www.aquariusph.com

 Applied Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Unit, St George’s, University of London

The Applied Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Unit (ADREU) is a proven multi-institutional and disciplinary group including experts in diagnostic evaluations, epidemiology and public health, clinical medicine, social science and basic and translational science, based at St George’s, University of London (SGUL).

For further information visit www.adreu.com.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK is the new name for the Technology Strategy Board – the UK’s innovation agency. Taking a new idea to market is a challenge. Innovate UK funds, supports and connects innovative businesses through a unique mix of people and programmes to accelerate sustainable economic growth.

For further information visit www.innovateuk.org

SBRI

The SBRI programme uses the power of government procurement to drive innovation. It provides opportunities for innovative companies to engage with the public sector and gain contracts to solve specific problems. Competitions for new technologies and ideas are run on specific topics and aim to engage a broad range of organisations. SBRI enables the public sector to engage with industry during the early stages of development, supporting projects through the stages of feasibility and prototyping.