NIHR-supported trial tests a rapid, low-cost point-of-care test that can diagnose flu, COVID‑19, and RSV in minutes, potentially speeding up winter diagnosis and care across the NHS
An NIHR-supported trial is underway in Southampton to evaluate a new rapid point-of-care test that could identify winter respiratory viruses such as flu, COVID‑19, and RSV in just minutes. The scalable, low-cost biosensor platform aims to provide faster diagnosis than current PCR testing, helping clinicians make timely decisions and reduce winter pressures on NHS services.
How the new test works and its advantages
Current hospital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test processes can take over two hours to deliver a result, require laboratory processing, and are expensive to perform.
The new test, developed by UK medical device company Ediphor, can be used by staff without any specialised training, costs around £2 to £3 per test, and would be around ten times cheaper than the current rapid PCR testing. It uses a novel biosensor technology that accurately identifies respiratory viruses in just 60 seconds. The entire process from sample collection to results takes around four minutes.
Professor Tristan Clark, study lead at the NIHR Southampton BRC, said: “This novel and exciting technology has the potential to be a real game-changer. Rapid, accurate diagnosis is crucial during winter surges, but current testing methods are too slow and often very expensive. A cheap, accurate test which delivers results in just a few minutes could transform how we manage respiratory infections in hospitals as well as in other settings.”
Trial goals and future impact
Respiratory infections, such as flu and COVID‑19, place high pressure on the NHS during winter, with a high proportion of A&E attendances during peak periods. This often leads to capacity issues and appointment cancellations.
The trial, which is underway at University Hospital Southampton (UHS), will evaluate the accuracy and performance of the test by comparing it with existing diagnostic methods. The data collected will be analysed in order to help build the evidence needed for regulatory approval and future NHS adoption.
Professor Clark, an Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases at UHS and Professor at the University of Southampton, added: “While this study won’t change how we manage patients this winter, it’s a vital step in generating the evidence required to support new diagnostic technologies that could make a significant difference in years to come. In addition, this technology is uniquely flexible in that it can be adapted to detect many different types of biomolecular targets, and not just respiratory viruses.”
The development of rapid, low-cost diagnostic tests represents a major step forward in preparing healthcare systems for future winter surges and potential pandemics. By enabling quicker patient triage and reducing the burden on laboratories, these innovations could save valuable time, resources, and lives. Widespread adoption of such technology has the potential to improve infection control measures, enhance patient outcomes, and reduce the overall economic and clinical impact of seasonal respiratory illnesses.
