19 July 2022 - - UK-based graphene electronic device manufacturing specialist Paragraf plans to develop a new generation of graphene-based, in-vitro diagnostic products that will give results within a few minutes, the company said.

The Cambridgeshire-based company is starting a two-year programme to develop a proof-of-concept combined PCT (procalcitonin) and CRP (C-reactive protein) test, on a single panel.

This collaboration utilises a GBP 550,000 Biomedical Catalyst grant award from Innovate UK, the UK's innovation agency.

Paragraf is collaborating with the Universities of Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, on the development.

A clinical study of the combined PCT/CRP test will be delivered at MFT's Diagnostics and Technology Accelerator in mid-2023.

DiTA aims to address unmet needs, transform patient care and improve efficiency within the NHS, by facilitating the rapid translation and adoption of new innovations into the health and care system.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of May 2024.

The NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre is hosted by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester, in partnership with Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

The BRC's vision is to drive health improvements and lasting change for all through creative, inclusive and proactive research that identifies and bridges gaps between new discoveries and individualised care.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country and a provider of specialist healthcare services.

Its 10 hospitals are home to hundreds of world class clinicians and academic staff, committed to finding patients the best care and treatments.

Its hospitals are Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary's Hospital, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, North Manchester General Hospital, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Trafford General, Altrincham Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital and Withington Hospital.

The University of Manchester, a member of the Russell Group, is one of the UK's largest single-site universities with more than 40,000 students including more than 10,000 from overseas. It is consistently ranked among the world's elite for graduate employability.

The University is also one of the country's major research institutions, rated fifth in the UK in terms of 'research power'. World-class research is carried out across a diverse range of fields including cancer, advanced materials, global inequalities, energy and industrial biotechnology.

Newcastle University, UK, is an international community of some 27,750 students from over 130 countries worldwide.

As a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities in the UK, Newcastle has a reputation for research in the fields of medicine, science and engineering, social sciences and the humanities.

Newcastle Hospitals provides care to patients and their families, across communities in the North East of England and beyond, with over 1.8 m patient contacts every year.

Paragraf is a technology development and manufacturing team for graphene-based electronic devices.