Sapphiros has completed the acquisition of Flexotronix Limited. Flexotronix have developed a high speed printed electronics manufacturing line using in-house proprietary conductive inks and printed components, including batteries connectivity capability- and other diagnostic test control mechanisms. These technologies will be rapidly deployed across the Sapphiros portfolio of companies to dramatically lower consumable costs and ultimately fully automate diagnostic testing and data management for products such as the SatioDx blood draw patches and next generation Biocrucible molecular diagnostics rapid diagnostic test devices.
Flexotronix has designed and developed an Extreme Volume Manufacturing process to manufacture innovative and proprietary lateral flow formats. The manufacturing line is close to final validation and has a measured capacity of an estimated 5 billion tests per year. The process incorporates new reel to reel assembly methods, including the capability for rapid tool change over to rapidly and seamlessly provide changeover between different diagnostic test formats. It is anticipated that a broad range of infectious disease diagnostic tests will be validated using this novel manufacturing process. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded the establishment of the Extreme Volume Manufacturing process in accordance with its charitable mission, specifically to secure access of low-cost diagnostic device manufacturing capacity for global health priorities that disproportionately impact low- and middle-income countries.
Namal Nawana, Founder and Chairman of Sapphiros commented, “High speed printed electronics will be deployed on multiple technology platforms within Sapphiros including Satio and Biocrucible as well as to launch new digital lateral flow formats enabling new diagnostics products to reach consumers globally.”
“The combined resources of Flexotronix and Sapphiros will ensure we are at the forefront of developing low-cost, high-performance diagnostics globally as well as preparation to rapidly respond to future biosecurity threats. We are pleased to welcome the talented Flexotronix team to Sapphiros,” said Mark Gladwell, COO of Sapphiros.
