Cambridge-based biotech startup Fuse Diagnostics has successfully raised £1.6 million in seed funding to develop its innovative diagnostic platforms designed to test industrial products for pathogens.
The funding round was supported by a syndicate of angel investors and the government agency Innovate UK. .
Fuse Diagnostics is currently working on two primary diagnostic testing platforms: Flip and Apex.
Flip is tailored for industries such as industrial bioprocessing, food safety, and water quality testing. This platform aims to provide a quick and efficient method for detecting pathogens in various industrial environments, ensuring safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Apex, on the other hand, is designed for more advanced industrial testing needs.
While details about Apex’s specific applications remain under wraps, it is expected to handle more complex diagnostic requirements, potentially offering enhanced sensitivity and broader detection capabilities.
Expanding into Clinical and Veterinary Diagnostics
While Fuse Diagnostics primarily targets industrial applications, its technology also holds promise for clinical diagnostics and veterinary medicine.
The ability to deliver rapid and accurate results in these fields could revolutionize how pathogens are detected and managed, leading to improved outcomes in healthcare and animal health.
According to Fuse Diagnostics’ CEO, Harry Lamble, the company’s platforms can deliver results in under 10 minutes.
This impressive speed is achieved through proprietary ultra-rapid amplification chemistries, which set their technology apart from traditional diagnostic methods.
“We are bringing gold standard laboratory performance into small, low-cost, disposable tests that anyone can use,” Lamble said.
“The simple product format enables users to test on demand in any location – all they have to do is apply the sample and wait for the clear visual result.”
A Legacy of Innovation
Harry Lamble, along with his brother Ralph, co-founded Fuse Diagnostics. The brothers are no strangers to the biotech industry, having previously founded Sense Biodetection.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Sense Biodetection made headlines by releasing one of the first instrument-free rapid molecular diagnostic tests.
Their success caught the attention of US firm Sherlock Biosciences, which acquired Sense Biodetection in early 2023.
Building on their past successes, the Lamble brothers established Fuse Diagnostics to push the boundaries of rapid pathogen detection even further.
Their vision is to make high-performance diagnostic testing accessible and convenient for a wide range of applications.
