Health test developer snaps up Doncaster factory to make antibody tests

A health test developer has snapped up a Doncaster factory to help make a new Covid-19 antibody test.
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York-based Abingdon Health has bought the ‘fully certified’ facility at Bullrush Grove Business Park from Concepta for £300,000.

Abingdon will continue making fertility testing strips for Concepta - but use spare capacity to create antibody tests which show whether someone has developed immunity after contracting the coronavirus.

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The firm is a member of a new group of UK diagnostic companies launched to make millions of tests for frontline and essential workers first and then the wider population.

Abingdon will continue make tests for Concepta alongside antibody tests.Abingdon will continue make tests for Concepta alongside antibody tests.
Abingdon will continue make tests for Concepta alongside antibody tests.

Chris Yates, chief executive of Abingdon Health, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this important initiative. We have an excellent team of scientists with many years’ experience in both rapid test development and large-scale manufacture.

“We are working hard to bring something with the required performance through to be validated via an accelerated development programme.

“Partnering with others in the consortium means we will be able to scale the product to the desired volume quickly following successful development and we look forward to working with our partners to achieve this.”

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Concepta, which moved into the Doncaster factory in 2017, said outsourcing manufacturing to Abingdon would reduce its costs.

Chief executive, Penny McCormick, said: “I am delighted to be supported by such a capable partner as Abingdon Health, and also pleased to see that the additional capacity of the facility can be used in the efforts to develop and manufacture a badly needed COVID-19 antibody test to be used in the wider the community.”

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