Who we are:
The Birmingham University Clinical Immunology Services is a unique intersection of skills with clinicians, biomedical scientists, clinical scientists and researchers coming together to leverage our positioning in the intersection between academic research studies, assay development and commercialisation with private industry, and the NHS for whom we provide a routine clinical service.
We have just moved into new premises near to Birmingham University Medical School and University Hospital Birmingham (QEH), at the PHTA. The Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA) is the University of Birmingham’s flagship life sciences innovation facility, based at No.1 Birmingham Health Innovation Campus. Home to the Clinical Immunology Service and Industry Trials Hub, PHTA provides state-of-the-art incubation and collaboration space to ambitious SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups.
What we do:
We provide a UKAS-accredited routine service testing more than 100,000 samples per year from over 50 NHS Trusts nationwide, specialising in cell function / flow cytometry testing and neuroimmunology. We offer over 200 tests currently in our ever-expanding portfolio.
This testing allows us access to diverse non transient patient samples from all disease states, plus we’re co-located with two University of Birmingham clinical trials units and central laboratory testing, providing high throughput sample processing and complete documentation. We are thereby able to run clinical studies, from small proof of principle / efficacy trials to full scale clinical studies against pre-agreed protocols.
We have a comprehensive range of assays in various stages of development, some in collaboration with private industry partners. Many of these are immune response assays for targets such as Mpox, Tetanus (lateral flow for LMIC regions), measles etc. Other assays include lateral flow free light chains (incorporating digital phone app to interpret and report results for home users) and type1 diabetes screening using dried blood spots.
Our positioning within an academic institution, serving and co-located with partner NHS Trust and clinical trial capabilities, enables us to contribute to the forefront of medical research. Specialist research projects include Blood cancer, Vaccine immunogenicity and Immune deficiency. We are integrated into NHS and academic programmes enabling enhancements to care pathways, data platforms & AI integration
Our mission is to develop high-quality, reliable immunology diagnostics and services that set new standards in healthcare, driving global improvements in patient care and health economic outcomes.
How can we work together?
If you’re in academia:
- We can partner with you in research areas in which our interests and expertise overlap.
- We can further your research with clinical studies / trials which require specific patient sample types (archive and prospectively)
If you’re a private / spin-out company developing immunoassays:
- We can assist with the R&D process and optimisation for multiple assay platforms
- We can help with clinical studies / trials which require specific patient sample types (archive and prospectively)
If you’re an established immunoassay manufacturer with a laboratory platform looking for menu expansion:
- We can discuss our portfolio and where existing assays could be ported to your platform.
- We can partner to develop new assays you require to expand your menu. This would include development finalisation, and the ensuing clinical studies. This would all be done under our UKAS quality system and conform to your technical transfer documentation, design history / transfer, and CGMP requirements.
If you are an NHS testing laboratory
- We can perform a plethora of clinical diagnostic tests against pre-agreed turnaround times. (assays, prices and TAT are available to clinical testing bodies upon request)
- We can partner to develop new assays you have identified as beneficial for new or existing clinical pathways.
To find out more about how you can collaborate with the CIS please take a look at our website or email j.millinchip@bham.ac.uk
