Lab21 to offer HIV genotyping in UK

Lab21 is to ally with Virco BVBA to provide HIV-1 genotyping services throughout the UK and Ireland.

Under the terms of the agreement, which follows Lab21’s acquisition of Delphic Diagnostics last year, the science company will distribute its new partner’s vircoTYPE HIV-1 drug-resistance genotyping service across the British Isles.

Lab21 is to provide these services using Virco protocols directly from its own Cambridge laboratory, while Virco’s virtual phenotyping will also be distributed by the company.

Mike Annable, divisional director for clinical services at Lab21, said it will also be looking to explore further potential collaborative opportunities with Virco relating to HIV and other diseases.

He added: “We are delighted to be part of this collaboration as it will provide substantial improvements in the efficiency of delivery of resistance analysis to HIV patients in the UK and Ireland.”

In the last year, Lab21 also agreed a deal to acquire Selah Technologies, a nanotechnology company with products designed for use in in-vitro and in-vivo diagnostics.