The company has pioneered new technology known as capillary agglutination technology (CAT), which is a simple, inexpensive means of diagnostic testing
Platform Diagnostics, a Liverpool-based company which has invented a unique method of diagnostic testing, has been announced as February 2005's winner of the Merseyside Innovation Awards and will now go forward to win a share of a GBP10,000 cash prize and GBP4000 worth of consultancy support.
The company, which was set up in 2002 by managing director Damian Bond, has pioneered new technology known as capillary agglutination technology (CAT), which is a simple, inexpensive means of diagnostic testing.
The method is based on changing flow of a liquid in a capillary channel.
The channels are filled with agglutination reagents.
If the target molecule (eg, the pregnancy hormone hCG) is present in the liquid, the agglutination reaction impedes the flow in the capillary channel.
The test uses a comparison channel to measure the speed of the flow - if the flow is slower than the comparison channel the test is positive, if it is the same speed it is negative.
The simplicity of the design means there are few components involved, making the device compact and economical to manufacture.
Its portability ideally suits the growing demand for point of care testing in doctors' surgeries, clinics or pharmacies for example.
The company is working on tests for pregnancy, deep vein thrombosis and a bedside test for blood grouping.
The technique is applicable to most diseases and may soon be adopted for tests such as HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia and rubella.
The test results come through in minutes so patients do not need to make a return visit for their results.
This is especially important when testing for HIV as recent studies found only 40% of people tested actually returned for their results - since these tests are carried out anonymously it makes it impossible to trace anybody who tested positive.
Damian Bond said: "Diagnostic testing is a heavily patented area but because we use a technology which is completely different we don't infringe existing patents.
"We are looking to collaborate with diagnostic companies interested in using the platform technology to help them develop quantitative tests within their individual areas of expertise".
The awards are designed to recognise the achievements of Merseyside entrepreneurs whose inventions, designs or projects show cutting edge innovation.
In a grand final in July, three finalists will showcase their products before an audience of leading figures in the business community.
