SURESCREEN DIAGNOSTICS TO CREATE 200 JOBS AT DERBY FACTORY

SureScreen Diagnostics will create 200 jobs at its Derby factory after landing a contract to supply the UK Government with 20 million rapid Covid-19 test kits.

The lateral flow antigen tests, which can produce a result in under 30 minutes are the first British-made tests to be validated in the laboratory by Public Health England (PHE).

They will be used as part of the Government’s rapid testing programme for people without symptoms, which has involved deploying the kits across the country to test NHS and care home staff.

The latest contract will create 200 additional jobs for Derby residents, with roles across the whole production line as well as in the wider UK supply chain.

The tests have already been validated by PHE in the lab and are now in their final stage of validation in clinical trials.

SureScreen director David Campbell said: “We believe our rapid antigen tests can really help in screening people both in the community and in clinical settings. Routine testing is crucial to help business, as well as hospitals and GPs.

“We are delighted to be working with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on this project and that our tests have been recognised by the government and its scientists. We look forward to doing all we can to help the UK going forward in 2021.”