New antibody tests, described as ‘game-changing’, have been developed by researchers that can detect which variant an individual has immunity from. The tests can pick up on which particular COVID variant(s) someone has been exposed to, something similar antibody tests cannot do. The tests have been developed by researchers from the University of Aberdeen, in a collaboration with the biotechnology group Vertebrate Antibodies Ltd and NHS Grampian. It is not yet clear when these tests w...

Some services in the NHS have returned to their pre-pandemic levels, including operations, elective care and cancer treatment. New data from the NHS England show that the number of people waiting more than 52 weeks to start treatment, decreased by more than 50,000 in April. Regarding diagnostic services, 1.8 million patients were able to access testing services in the month of April. There was also an increase in the number of operations and elective care carried out, returning to pre-pandemic l...

BIVDA has launched the latest in its series of strategic papers, ‘The Digital Revolution’.  BIVDA is publishing this paper to ensure that the digitisation of In vitro Diagnostics (IVD) and the breakthroughs, experiences and collaboration resultant from the coronavirus pandemic are not limited to being a short-term phenomenon. The last year has demonstrated that the IVD industry has the ability and capacity to transform healthcare through an early diagnosis culture which prevents...

BIVDA has launched the latest in its series of strategic papers, ‘The Digital Revolution’. You can find a copy of the paper attached to this page. BIVDA is publishing this paper to ensure that the digitisation of In vitro Diagnostics (IVD) and the breakthroughs, experiences and collaboration resultant from the coronavirus pandemic are not limited to being a short-term phenomenon. The last year has demonstrated that the IVD industry has the ability and capacity to transform healt...

As part of Operation Pangea, over 3 million illegally traded medicines and medical devices have been seized as part of a global crackdown. The products were valued at over £9 million. Operation Pangea was originally instigated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), it is also coordinated by INTERPOL. Operation Pangea is a well-established international effort to disrupt the online sale of counterfeit and illicit health products. Just as importantly, Pangea works...

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has announced his preferred selection for the chair of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Sir Andrew Mackenzie will be tasked with driving forward the Government’s ambitious goals for UK research and innovation. Sir Andrew has a background in both science and business areas. His early career was as an academic geochemist, then moved into industry and was the Chief Executive of BHP (a mining company).Sir Andrew is now Company Chair of Shell and was knighted...

BIVDA responds to G7 Communique on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) BIVDA has responded to the communique published by the attendees at the G7 meeting in Cornwall, pledging to do more to tackle the problem of AMR. Across the world, AMR is responsible for hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths a year and the numbers are increasing year on year by 4% - and will continue to do so as current antibiotics lose their effectiveness against new and evolving strains of bacteria.  Commentin...

A clinically-led review of urgent and emergency care standards has been published by NHS England. The new report has been welcomed by health organisations, patients, clinicians and the public. Findings included in the review have led to recommendations on the reduction of hidden waiting times, the lowering of COVID-19 risks in health settings.  The overall objective of the standards review as to recognise what was clinically important to patients. The review was based on a consultation on t...

BIVDA offers industry support to Government for COP26 climate goals BIVDA, the trade association for in-vitro diagnostic companies, has written to the President of COP26, Alok Sharma MP, to offer the support of the industry for the forthcoming COP26 summit in Glasgow. BIVDA and its members have been at the forefront of our response to the pandemic, working closely with colleagues at NHS England the Department for Health and Social Care during this challenging period. As part of this cr...

According to a new market research report from MarketsandMarkets, the infectious disease diagnostics market could be worth $39.8 billion by 2026. Growing awareness for early disease diagnosis, the prevalence of infectious diseases worldwide and onset of COVID-19 are factors supporting the high growth of this particular market. The infectious disease market is segmented into reagents, kits and consumables, instruments, software and services. The reagents, kits, and consumables segment accounted f...