Seed investments provide new testing opportunities in key sectors

The money will support Fuse’s development of a new generation of diagnostic testing products designed to deliver the performance of laboratory instruments for rapid, low-cost, point-of-need testing.

The products will meet diagnostic requirements in the industrial, food and water sectors – where eliminating pathogen contamination is crucial. They will also provide accurate, immediate testing for clinical diagnostics and veterinary applications.

Fuse CEO Dr Harry Lamble said: “We are bringing the gold standard of laboratory performance to small, low-cost, single-use tests that anyone can use – with results in less than 10 minutes thanks to our proprietary ultra-fast amplification chemistries.

“The product’s simple format allows users to test on-demand anywhere – just apply a sample and wait for a clear visual result.”

Fuse is developing two diagnostic testing platforms. Products in the Flip range will be intended for industrial, food and water testing, as well as the bioprocessing industry and cell biology research – for example to investigate mycoplasma contamination of mammalian cell cultures.

The Apex range is designed for more advanced industrial testing, along with veterinary applications and clinical diagnostics such as testing for respiratory or sexually transmitted infections.

Fuse is the brainchild of the founders of Sense Biodetection – Harry and Ralph Lamble – who, during the pandemic, developed the world’s first rapid, tool-free molecular diagnostic test (Veros COVID-19).

Following Sherlock Biosciences’ acquisition of Sense last year, the brothers decided to leverage their experience in clinical product development and commercialization to meet the widespread demand for rapid, on-site pathogen testing across the industry.