Gullimex BV has excellent presence in the food and horticulture markets, and will add Pocket Diagnostic kits to its extensive range of instrumentation and testing equipment.
Mike Ward, head of sales at Forsite, commented that the new relationship with Gullimex was a strategic step to improve market reach for the plant disease test kits. ‘Gullimex’s area of operations covers a horticulturally-rich area of Europe, and this presence will boost awareness and sales of Pocket Diagnostic products.’
Pocket Diagnostic products are well known across Europe as the market leader for on-site tests used by growers and statutory plant health inspectors. Among the portfolio are rapid tests for botrytis and for the phytophthora fungus which is a serious threat to the health of trees and shrubs on nurseries and in gardens and the wider environment. ‘We are confident that Gullimex will be able to find new markets for the phytophthora test and other tests in the range’, adds Mike Ward.
Date of publication: 6 May 2008
The investment is part of Forsite’s strategic plan of becoming an internationally recognised manufacturer of high quality lateral flow device diagnostics. Installation of the new equipment began in January this year, raising Forsite’s manufacturing capacity to over 5 million devices a year.
Investment of over £700k was made to purchase three major items: Biodot reel to reel membrane spraying and auto-laminator machines; a Kinematic auto-assembler; and a Siebler-Goring foil packaging device. All of the equipment is now operational and helping to achieve Forsite's business targets.
Chris Danks, chief executive of Forsite Diagnostics, is delighted at the step change the equipment has made to diagnostic test production at the York-based company. ‘We are now in a position to accept major manufacturing contracts from diagnostic companies looking for a high quality producer. Interest from the diagnostics industry is already high, and we are confident we will be able to attract business based on quality, cost effectiveness and short turnaround times.’
Collectively, the new equipment brings automation to all stages of production of Forsite’s lateral flow devices. ‘The big gains are in product consistency and production efficiency’, says Chris Danks. ‘Working with leading equipment manufacturers from Europe and the United States has dramatically improved our competitiveness in international markets.’
Date of publication: 6 May 2008
Forsite Diagnostics is launching a range of disease diagnostic tests aimed at helping to keep potato and tomato crops healthy. ‘Pocket Check™' tests are simple to use and will detect four important diseases in each crop, allowing growers to decide on what action to take to protect yield.
‘The idea of testing animals for disease is routine’, says Chris Danks, Forsite’s chief executive. ‘We’ve now extended this concept to plants that gardeners really care about – potatoes and tomatoes.’
The Pocket Check tests are based on the same technology as used in home-pregnancy kits, and are just as quick and simple to use. If the disease is present in a sample of leaf tested, two blue lines appear on the test strip. ‘Gardeners will be hoping for negative results, but if the result is positive, at least they can prepare for the consequences’, continued Mr Danks.
The Pocket Check range covers diseases caused by viruses and fungi in tomatoes and potatoes. Correct identification of disease is important so that the correct treatment or management of the crops is carried out. Tests available will help growers distinguish for example between blight and grey mould on plants. Symptoms can be similar, but the consequences of infection are very different. ‘Being able to manage crops properly to protect yield is important whether you grow organically or not,’ says Mr Danks, ‘and these on-site tests will identify the disease at the first sign of symptoms.’
Date of release: 19 March 2008
Forsite Diagnostics Ltd. has been created to develop rapid, on-site testing kits for the plant health, animal health and food safety markets. The launch ceremony at Forsite’s new facilities on the CSL site near York was attended by representatives of the science and investment communities who have contributed much to the birth of the company.
Establishment of Forsite Diagnostics is a major success for CSL’s on-going strategy of managing and developing intellectual property. The technology behind the new company was developed with Government funding in the search for the most effective tool for in-field detection of potato diseases. Out of this work, the Pocket Diagnostic range of on-site test kits for plant diseases was born, and the potential of the technology was proved.
A search for private investors to take this technology to market reached a successful conclusion in January this year, when a deal was signed with Safeguard Biosystems Holdings Ltd., an international company with a strong interest in diagnostic technologies. ‘The sale of Forsite gives CSL a significant return on investment’, says Professor Mike Roberts, CSL’s chief executive, ‘and provides the new company with resources for rapid growth as an independent entity.’
Food and Farming Minister Lord Rooker said: ’I am delighted to launch Forsite today. The establishment of this innovative organisation and the valuable work it carries out is a real step forward for science in this area. Early detection of disease in both the plant and animal health sectors is crucial and by working in partnership with Forsite we hope to bring real benefits for these industries.’
Forsite is a tenant on the CSL site outside York and has strong growth plans. The company already employs 12 staff carrying out research, manufacturing and sales of its range of on-site test kits. The kits use innovative but simple to use lateral flow device technology which gives results in 2-3 minutes, enabling rapid decision making by farmers, vets and food safety specialists. Part of Safeguard’s investment has been used to purchase automated production equipment to allow fulfilment of high volume orders already in the pipeline.
Professor Roberts is keen to emphasise that the establishment of Forsite illustrates the value of on-going relationships between CSL and private sector investors. ‘Close collaboration is beneficial to both parties, providing a route to market for a wide range of diagnostic technologies developed at CSL. We already have a range of exploitation and collaborative initiatives to develop further our intellectual property. Forsite is our first spin-out, and I expect there will be others as our technologies are developed through to maturity.’
Released on 17 May 2007
