Helen meets with Health Committee Chair Layla Moran MP
During a roundtable, Helen outlined the need to speed up the adoption of innovations in the NHS, improve funding routes, and ensure diagnostics determine pathways.
Headlines
BIVDA hosts DBT/OLS India Free Trade Agreement Life Sciences Roundtable
Of particular interest to our sector is the opportunity to feed into development of the AMR National Action Plan in India and take part in a Diagnostics Mission to India in October 2026.
Helen pens NHS innovation article for Chamber UK journal
The article, ‘Pass the Baton: Why NHS Innovation Stalls at the Finish Line’ features in the journal which is read by parliamentarians across both Houses.
Membership News
Chinese manufacturer seeking distribution partnership with UK companies
Following on from BIVDA’s role in the government’s IVD mission to China, we have been contacted by a Chinese manufacturer, Shanghai GeneoDx Biotech. If interested, please email ben.kemp@bivda.org.uk.
Helen attends Biosecurity Security Frontiers and Innovation Forum
The event, attended by Health Innovation Minister Zubir Ahmed, sought to examine the acute prospective biosecurity risks facing the UK and how innovations can mitigate these issues.
Ben visits Parliament for Health and Life Sciences Showcase event
The event was attended by innovators, NHS leaders, and parliamentarians, the latter including sponsoring MP Steve Yemm and former Chair of the APPG for Life Sciences Daniel Zeichner MP.
BIVDA Bid Writing Masterclass webinar on 5th May – register now
Led by Sarah Joy Newton, Director of Amethyst Connect, this session will focus on the some of the key changes in NHS tenders over recent years and what members need to be aware of in preparation for bidding in 2026.
BIVDA responds to the Renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England
The Government has published a renewed Women’s Health Strategy, which aims to prioritise women’s experiences and voices in order to improve care and confront medical misogyny.
BIVDA Webinar: From Snapshot to Stream: How Continuous Health Data May Reshape Diagnostics
Taking place on Tuesday 12th May at 2pm – 3pm, this session explores how longitudinal wearable data and digital biomarkers may complement in vitro diagnostics, and what this shift means for product design, clinical evidence, regulatory pathways, and NHS integration.
BIVDA Webinar: What could quantum sensing mean for the future of IVDs?
BIVDA members are invited to join experts from the Q-BIOMED hub for an interactive session on Tuesday 16th June at 1pm – 2pm on how quantum sensing technologies could reshape the way disease is detected, measured, and understood across clinical pathways.
BIVDA welcomes £237 million funding announcement for Community Diagnostic Centres
This funding will facilitate the opening of four new CDCs as well as the expansion and enhancement of 32 existing facilities.
MHRA extend fee waiver programme for UK micro and small enterprises
The updated programme will run from 20 April 2026 to 5 April 2027, following evaluation of the initial pilot.
BIVDA Combined Infectious Diseases and Near Patient Testing Working Party – Agenda
The working party will take place on Thursday 14th May 2026 between 10:30 – 13:00 – make sure to register now.
A week to go until Power to Disrupt: Leaders in POCT Diagnostics – 5th May 2026
Kicking off on Tuesday 5th May 2026 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, Birmingham, you can find the agenda enclosed.
BIVDA welcomes new members: Molbio Diagnostics, OPD (Oxford Product Design) and Imprinted Diagnostics
We are delighted to welcome these three new members – click below to find out more about them.
Value-based procurement (VBP) assessment methodology set for June release
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is preparing to introduce its new VBP framework in June, remaining on schedule for rollout.
NIHR launches global programme to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
The initiative, funded by the DHSC, will allow researchers to apply for between £500,000 and £5 million to transform their promising research into solutions which can be embedded into daily clinical practice.
Government currently exceeding its 150-day clinical trial target
New data shows timelines have fallen to an average of 122 days — down from 169 days over the same period last year.
National AI Commission: Ask Me Anything – 20th May
The MHRA are hosting a live Ask Me Anything on Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 9:30am – 10:30am on how artificial intelligence (AI) is being regulated in healthcare.
Institute of Directors Health and Life Sciences Special Interest Group launch event – 6th May
George Freeman MP, Dr Annalisa Jenkins OBE, and Chris Molloy will feature as guest speakers, and attendees will have the opportunity to connect with them and fellow senior leaders and the SIG Leadership Group.
Attend the MedTech Summit on 15–18 June 2026
Are you ready to navigate the complexities of EU MDR, IVDR, SaMD, AI, and global markets? The MedTech Summit 2026 is your ultimate destination for actionable insights, regulatory guidance, and unparalleled networking opportunities.
Media Monitoring: 16th – 29th April
A round-up of the week’s best diagnostics-related news.
Member Requests
REMINDER: We encourage members to send us relevant material – including events, conferences and workshops – to share on the newsletter. Please send them to ben.kemp@bivda.org.uk.
Are you producing or preparing to produce a point-of-care test (fingerstick sample) for vitamin D, ideally quantitative? We have had a request to find members who might have a suitable test to use in an acute paediatric setting. Please send an email to Lucy.Lehane@bivda.org.uk with your info!
Member seeks R&D space in in Bath or Bristol to develop a proof of concept for an assay
If you are able to help, please email kaye.walton@bivda.org.uk.
Member seeking partnerships with tech companies creating remote digital or AI UTI tests
Forte Medical are seeking partnerships with tech companies creating remote digital or AI UTI tests, for an early dialogue around their work to flat-pack Peezy Midstream.
The product is also ready to market for HPV, STI and some early stage cancer diagnoses.
If you are a remote testing company or laboratory with urine-based diagnostic tech and want to provide hygiene and dignity as well as accuracy to your customers, please email: giovanna.forte@forte-medical.com.
Efficient and Effective Smart Bio-Affinity Reagents – an alternative to using antibodies
At the University of Central Lancashire, Professor Sub Reddy’s Group has developed a proprietary, scalable technology to custom-produce high-affinity reagents—powerful alternatives to traditional antibodies. These reagents are designed to selectively isolate proteins and viruses, an innovation they believe could have a huge impact on industries ranging from biotech to diagnostic applications.
They are currently exploring commercialisation opportunities, including spin-out and licensing options, and have launched a survey and landing page to test the market. If you’re interested in learning more, check out polymimix.com to share your feedback. If you have any questions, please email: smreddy@uclan.ac.uk
Events Diary
From Snapshot to Stream: How Continuous Health Data May Reshape Diagnostics
Date: Tuesday 12th May 2026
Time: 14:00 – 15:00
Register Here
BIVDA Infectious Diseases & Near Patient Testing Working Party (Combined)
Date: Thursday 14th May 2026
Time: 10:30 – 13:30
Register Here