North east innovation lab celebrates two year anniversary supporting the development of cutting-edge diagnostics.

Based at The Biosphere in Newcastle Helix, the facility is part of Newcastle Hospitals and plays a key role in bringing new approaches and diagnostics to mainstream use. The team supports developers with testing and improving their technologies, which includes conducting independent performance evaluations and validations for new and emerging diagnostics; methodology and protocol development and bespoke sample collection.

The lab’s well-stocked biobank holds over 22,000 carefully categorised clinical samples, including blood, serum and saliva, offering clients access to the materials needed to test products and devices. Since opening, the lab has engaged with over 100 test developers from industry, academia and the NHS, and worked on over 45 projects with 21 companies across the globe from the UK to the USA and China to Australia.