Thread by @JimBethell

Terrific briefing with MPs and peers on our support of the UK diagnostics industry during the pandemic, and beyond. 👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️
Huge achievements. Increased production capacity of LFD in the UK by over 3000% in less than a year.
More to do. 🚀
🧵1/.

INVESTMENT: Transformed three UK manufacturers and supported approval of multiple UK LFD COVID-19 tests.

c£300m in direct and indirect investment that has transformed the operations of SureScreen, GAD and Omega. Secured ~92m 🇬🇧-made tests and created a lasting legacy. 🧵2/-

LEGACY: Increased production capacity by over 3500% in >1yr. From ~400K to ~15m tests pw. Capacity will be ~20m per week by the end of 2021.
🇬🇧 will have a high-volume, high-speed, automated production capacity able to support HMG and patients for years to come. 🧵3/

INVESTMENT: Working with industry partners we have delivered £40m in direct investment, provided specialist manufacturing engineering expertise to transform production performance and a whole bunch more. See below for our approach. 🧵4/

INNOVATION: improving clinical performance (via antibody assessment and prototyping initiative), and design of more usable and sustainable product. 🚀
Eg Developed new packaging design with 30% less materials capable of reducing waste by 15,000 tonnes per year. (pic below)🌳🧵5/

VALIDATION: we have high standards and apply them rigorously.
Porton Down's run 146 Phase 2 "futility" tests and phase 2a’s of which 42% have passed. 58 "3a" validations with 37 passes (64%).
All passed VoC testing (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta). 🧵6/.
#leadingtheworld 🇬🇧

🙏🙏 to "UK MAKE" team and all partners for delivery of specialist support covering (1) production equipment, (2) fabrication and installation, (3) manufacturing engineering, (4) clinical and regulatory approvals, (5) commercial and procurement, and (6) programme management. End