NEWS
UK invests £5.5 million to tackle mpox in southern Africa
The UK government has announced £5.5 million for research into transmission, new vaccines and treatments to tackle the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries.
The significant investment is part
of the UK’s international response to mpox: providing critical support to countries at the centre of the outbreak and strengthening global health security, while ensuring the UK is protected. The funding will go towards research
projects focused on: studying the genetics and transmission patterns of clade 1b mpox and strengthening public health responses in affected regions; developing vaccines, with particular attention to protecting vulnerable groups; as well as supporting clinical trials involving mothers and newborn children - including improving the efficacy of vaccines and antiviral treatments Health Minister Baroness Gillian
Merron said: “We are proud to be at the forefront of the international response to mpox. This crucial funding will develop our understanding of the disease and hopefully develop new ways of protecting people at risk of this terrible disease – particularly mothers and their babies who are particularly vulnerable. It will also help protect the UK and improve our resilience to future outbreaks.”
This funding has been given through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget and will support nine major research projects in partnership with the Global Health European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership 3 (Global Health EDCTP3).
Major update at SWLP’s Croydon laboratory
South West London Pathology (SWLP) has celebrated the installation of new cutting-edge technology from Beckman Coulter at its Essential Services Laboratory at Croydon Hospital, creating one of the most modern, innovative, and efficient clinical blood science services in the country. The installation of the analysers and automated tracking at Croydon is the first step of the rollout of new blood sciences services at all SWLP sites across the network – covering clinical chemistry, haematology, coagulation, serology, and pre-analytical automation – in collaboration with global leader in clinical diagnostics Beckman Coulter.
The new laboratories will deliver unified clinical blood science services, ensuring a wide range of medical services and diagnostic tests, enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery in south London. The SWLP network consists of five laboratories, which – when fully updated – will perform over 30,000 daily tests when operating at full capacity, allowing for faster test result turnaround times and improved patient outcomes
SWLP is an NHS pathology partnership providing a single, integrated pathology service across South West London and beyond covering five hospital sites and a population of over 3.5 million people. It offers a wide range of diagnostic and clinical support services to these hospitals, 450 GPs across London and surrounding areas, and other NHS
institutions and private organisations. Simon Brewer, SWLP Managing Director, says: “The successful introduction of the Beckman Coulter analysers at Croydon Hospital marks our first step towards an exciting new future for our clinical blood science services.” Rob Young, UK General Manager for Beckman Coulter, added: “We are proud to provide Croydon with critical laboratory equipment which utilises the newest technologies and performs in line with the world’s most advanced laboratories. By enhancing the capabilities of the laboratory staff, we are enabling them to not only increase the volume of tests but also to improve the quality of the results they provide to the clinical community.” Pictured are: (left to right) Rob Young, UK General Manager for Beckman Coulter; Matthew Kershaw, Chief Executive of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust; and Simon Brewer, SWLP Managing Director.
New clean room for Severn Biotech
Severn Biotech has completed a new clean room facility at its Park Lane site, in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. The 1,500 square foot laboratory facility is rated to ISO8 standard delivering ISO7 air quality with improved air quality to ISO5 standard with the use of in situ Laminar Airflow cabinets. The clean room is used in the manufacture of laboratory reagents and buffer solutions where clean air is a pre- requisite to filtration and quality control of liquid products. Used in association with autoclaves sterile products manufactured are maintained in a clean air environment. The facility now allows
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increased manufacturing capacity and larger-scale production. The company manufactures a number of different laboratory products with over 400 reagent and chemical products listed in its current catalogue. All products are manufactured to exact formulations and standards within our laboratories, which are well equipped for research, development, production and quality assurance. Severn Biotech also provides bespoke reagents, OEM manufacturing, own label and branded products, specialising in peptide synthesis chemistry and conjugates for immunology.
FEBRUARY 2025
WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM
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