With support from Innovate UK, Birmingham-based diagnostics company, Linear Diagnostics, is redefining rapid testing with its pioneering light-based platform for point-of-care diagnostics.
With tailored business growth support from Innovate UK, the company has secured over £1M in public grant funding, created two high-value jobs and formed new international partnerships, while advancing clinical validation and preparing for NHS adoption.
Linear Diagnostics is developing a fast, portable testing platform that uses light to detect multiple infections from a single sample. The technology removes the need for complex lab equipment or multiple processing steps, making it ideal for time-critical or remote settings. Originally developed to improve testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it is now being explored for broader use in healthcare, food safety, defence and security.
“Sexually transmitted infections are a growing public health concern, yet testing is often slow, complex and difficult to access,” explains Jean-Louis Duprey, Head of Research and Development at Linear Diagnostics. “Our aim is to make accurate, lab-quality diagnostics available at the point of care – so people can get tested and treated quickly, wherever they are.”
Support unlocks funding and scale innovation
The company first connected with Innovate UK Business Growth in 2022. Innovation and Growth Specialist, Andrew Shortt, developed a comprehensive action plan with Linear Diagnostics, focused on funding, recruitment, regulatory planning and international readiness.
This strategic growth support helped position the company to secure key public grants, including a £700,000 award from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to fund clinical validation studies in partnership with Newcastle University. A £225,000 Antimicrobial Resistance Global grant further supported development of the STI platform for global health settings, while a £50,000 West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator grant, in partnership with Innovate UK, enabled early commercial validation and the recruitment of a research scientist and marketing specialist.
To strengthen its long-term value, the company also accessed the IP Advance scheme, delivered by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to Innovate UK Business Growth clients, which helped shape its IP strategy and reinforce its product protections. Additional support was provided through Invest-Ability Intensive Training, helping the team prepare for future investor engagement, alongside structured guidance on NHS engagement and clinical trial design.
A £15,000 Innovate UK Business Growth Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) and Catapult grant enabled further technical development of the platform.
Jean-Louis adds: “Innovate UK Business Growth has been a fantastic resource for us. Their support provided a focal point to bring together different funding streams, research collaborations and commercialisation pathways.
“Having structured access to both Innovate UK Business Growth and wider opportunities, including European partnerships and the University of Birmingham, has been invaluable.”
Regional and international collaboration
As Linear Diagnostics looked to explore European markets, Innovate UK helped facilitate international connections through its role as an Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) International Network Partner. This led to a collaboration with Greek med tech company Biopix-T, allowing the company to explore colour-based detection methods, system miniaturisation and improved usability for point-of-care settings.
A £6,000 Horizon Europe Pump Priming grant supported early regulatory planning for international markets. The company also joined the Bruntwood SciTech Accelerator and took part in a University of Birmingham Innovation Accelerator workshop, helping to shape regional support for high-growth businesses. These combined activities have expanded its partner network and improved its readiness for international scale-up.
Driving UK health and economic impact
By enabling faster diagnosis and treatment of STIs, Linear Diagnostics is helping to reduce NHS pressure, improve patient outcomes and minimise the long-term health risks of untreated infections. Its portable platform is designed to reach more people, especially in underserved communities, supporting a healthier, more productive society.
The company is also contributing to the UK’s innovation economy, with new high-value jobs, strengthened R&D capacity and a growing profile in international med tech markets. Its work aligns with the UK’s Life Sciences Vision and supports key national priorities around public health and antimicrobial resistance.
Jean-Louis concludes: “Thanks to Innovate UK Business Growth, we’ve been able to scale our technology, grow our team and engage new commercial partners. It’s the kind of sustained and responsive support that makes a real difference to innovation-led companies like ours.”
Thanks to Innovate UK Business Growth, we’ve been able to scale our technology, grow our team and engage new commercial partners. It’s the kind of sustained and responsive support that makes a real difference to innovation-led companies like ours.
– Jean-Louis Duprey, Head of Research and Development at Linear Diagnostics