Microtest Diagnostics

About Microtest Diagnostics

Microtest Diagnostics Limited operated as a manufacturer of in-vitro diagnostic systems, with a specific focus on the allergy testing market. The company was established in 2002 as a spin-out from Imperial College London. It was founded by Professor Andrea Crisanti, who held the positions of Chair of Molecular Parasitology at Imperial College and Chair of Microbiology at the University of Perugia. The firm's core offering was a fully automated allergy testing platform intended for direct use by doctors and allergy specialists. This proprietary system was designed to unify multiple diagnostic assays into a single test format, allowing for the simultaneous identification of numerous allergen-antibody interactions from a minimal sample volume.

The company's business model centered on providing its diagnostic platform, along with associated reagents and software, to small- and medium-scale laboratories and clinics. This was intended to equip physicians with better tools for managing patient allergies. Microtest Diagnostics had secured CE marking for its ADAM™ instrument and had signed distribution agreements valued at over £25 million across Europe and Asia. Over its history, the company raised approximately $2.5 million in funding over two rounds from investors including Anglo Scientific, Origin Capital, and the European Union. The company eventually ceased operations and is now considered out of business, having undergone liquidation in August 2019.