Diagnostic tests firm scoops King’s Awards double

Staff at diagnostic tests manufacturer SureScreen Diagnostics are celebrating after scooping two prestigious King’s Awards for Enterprise

The company, which manufactures and exports millions of lateral flow tests, has been recognised in the Innovation and International Trade categories.

SureScreen’s expertise came to the fore at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, after it developed antigen lateral flow tests, which were the first European tests to pass the strict validation process in the laboratory by Public Health England.

As a result, they became a vital part of the UK Government’s rapid testing programme and were also exported to help other countries tackle the pandemic overseas.

Paying tribute to his team’s hard work and innovation, director David Campbell said: “We are incredibly proud to have been announced as double King’s Awards winners in recognition of what continues to be a huge company-wide effort to develop and manufacture lateral flow tests that help save lives both in the UK and in countries around the world.

“It is a wonderful testament to the hard work across the whole team, and what makes this fitting is that our company has been built on scientific innovation and has always exported a significant volume of our products, so these awards reflect the ethos of SureScreen Diagnostics from the very beginning.”

Founded in Derby in 1996, SureScreen has been manufacturing lateral flow tests for more than 25 years and recent developments include rapid tests for flu, Covid, Strep A and M-Pox.

It also manufacturers tests for other applications, including drug and alcohol detection and fertility screening.

Mr Campbell said: “Our work during the pandemic has built a strong platform for our company which promises to help millions of people by giving them the ability to take control of their health and diagnose issues early through fast and reliable testing at home or in clinical settings.

“Reducing waiting times for diagnoses is at the heart of improving healthcare.

“Whether it be workplace testing for drugs and alcohol, home wellness screening or infectious disease testing at the GP, we will be ready to help catch issues early and help prevent them before they arise.”

King’s Awards recipients are permitted to fly the King’s Awards for Enterprise flag at their main office and use the emblem in marketing materials for five years.

They will also receive an official certificate known as a grant of appointment and a commemorative crystal trophy.

This year, SureScreen was among four Derbyshire companies to receive King’s Awards. Elsewhere in the East Midlands, there were two winners in Nottinghamshire and two in Leicestershire.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “Our congratulations go out to all our region’s winners, which will be able to use this royal seal of approval to great effect in marketing their products and services both at home and abroad.

“We often talk about how the East Midlands is a Centre of Trading Excellence – a place for making things, moving them and innovating in how we do this – and these businesses are testament to this reputation.

“At a time when we need to be exploring new international markets, finding new ways of raising productivity and growing our competitiveness in the right way, it’s fantastic to have some shining examples for our region’s business community to look up to.”

Applications for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 open on Coronation Day, which is 6 May.

For more information, visit http://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise .