1 minute read
Randox passes test milestone after £85m investment
Randox has processed its 10 millionth sample for the UK’s Covid-19 national testing programme, making it the first pillar 2 testing laboratory to achieve this milestone.
As a key partner laboratory from initiation of the government’s national testing programme in March 2020, Randox’s response has involved recruitment of over 850 new staff , the building and equipping of over 80,000 sq ft of new molecular laboratory space and the development of new innovations in testing technology.
Since March 2020, Randox has invested £85m in facilities and equipment at its laboratories in Northern Ireland.
Randox has processed it 10 millionth Covid test – since March 2020 it has invested £85m in facilities and equipment in Northern Ireland / Picture: Randox
These efforts have seen Randox’s Covid-19 testing capacity grow from 150 tests per day in March 2020 to over 120,000 samples per day today, making Randox the largest throughput laboratory in the UK and Ireland and amongst the biggest in Europe.
Randox founder and managing director, Dr Peter FitzGerald, said: “This milestone is an incredible achievement and testament to the dedication and hard work of our teams, who have pulled together at a time of national crisis and whose non-stop efforts are vital to enable the country to return to both social and economic normality.
“We will continue to build our capacity and develop new cutting-edge testing equipment to support the fight against Covid-19. We’ve all learnt from this pandemic the importance of early and accurate testing and Randox is committed to investing in diagnostic technology to meet future health challenges.”
Tests in the UK are measured and reported in different ways depending on the route and how they are administered. Pillar 1 data is provided by Public Health England labs and NHS hospitals. Pillar 2 data for the UK (excluding Wales tests processed in NHS labs in Wales) is collected by commercial partners.