Expansion in the US and innovative laboratory services fuel Abingdon Health’s growth in the diagnostics industry
From its facilities in the US and UK, Abingdon Health (Abingdon) provides end-to-end lateral flow development, manufacturing and regulatory solutions all under one roof. Since our last conversation about a year ago, Abingdon has experienced significant growth. Chris Yates, Group Chief Commercial Officer, shares a brief update of what has been going on in the business over that time.
“It has been a very busy 12 months for us, during which we have continued to grow, primarily through our significantly expanded proposition. As a full-service Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and Contract Research Organization (CRO), we provide all the necessary services to guide customers from initial concept to commercial success in the in-vitro diagnostics space. Last year, we strengthened this proposition by acquiring two businesses in the regulatory sector: CS Life Sciences and IVDeology. Additionally, we invested in building out our own analytical performance lab in the UK, further rounding out our customer proposition. Alongside these developments, we expanded into the US market by providing a comprehensive service proposition in Madison, Wisconsin. Ultimately, these initiatives have led to a significant increase in the number of customers seeking our expertise to take their projects through to commercialization.”
Within the last year, Abingdon has been involved in several projects across many segments. Still, one particular area stands out as the most promising one for the long-term. “We are seeing a surge of interest in the field of companion diagnostics, which involves using diagnostic tests alongside therapeutics. This is an area of specific expertise and specialism for us, but we have also noted increased interest and activity in other clinical fields, such as infectious diseases, animal health, food testing, and environmental testing. As a result, we have been working on a broad mix of projects with customers. However, I would highlight that companion diagnostics is the standout area where there has been the most significant uptick in interest from US customers, driven by our investments in that market. We are seeing much more collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, further expanding our opportunities,” Chris enlightens.
Growth Strategy
After doubling the business in 2025, Abingdon is poised to achieve a similar outcome in 2026 by leveraging the same solid growth strategy. Chris elaborates on the key components of this strategy: “There are three main pillars to our approach. First, we are focused on being knowledge leaders in lateral flow testing and in-vitro diagnostics in general. We have a highly experienced team that have been through the process of developing, scaling, manufacturing and commercializing assays many times, allowing us to apply that expertise effectively. Second, our comprehensive service proposition provides all the necessary components for customers to move from concept to commercial success. In other words, we are a one-stop shop, which gives us the ability to synchronize various workstreams, resulting in improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness for our clients. Finally, our optionality on manufacturing is essential in today’s environment of tariffs. We offer customers the ability and choice to manufacture in the UK, the US, or in both countries if required, providing a lot of flexibility as they plan their own commercial strategies moving forward,” he states.
Expanding in the US has contributed positively to Abingdon’s growth plans, enabling the company to reach more customers without the burden of tariffs. “Since establishing our US facility in April 2025, the commercial side of the business has been thriving. Within that period, we have secured a number of customers across the US, ranging from prestigious American universities, to start-up companies through to large blue-chip organizations. Additionally, we are actively working on over six contracts within the US and continue to see a great level of interest from prospective clients. Overall, our expansion in the US has gone extremely well,” Chris informs.
“We have gone from strength to strength since our opening in April, seeing a huge amount of interest during what we consider to be the first phase of our US operations. At present, we are in phase two and are looking forward to phases three and four. As we expand our team and take on more projects at our US facility, we are also investing in expanding our manufacturing capabilities. This enhancement includes the installation of high-grade manufacturing facilities with stringent environmental controls in place, low humidity (below 20 percent relative humidity), and temperature and humidity regulation for dispensing processes. By incorporating automated dispensing and assembly equipment, we not only keep our costs down but also enhance our appeal to customers who want to partner with us,” adds Mark Jones, Chief Operating Officer.
In a recent development, Abingdon has opened an analytical performance lab to provide an even more impressive level of service to its clients. “When a customer aims to develop a clinical product, they must submit two key components of their technical file. The first is analytical performance, which includes laboratory testing for sensitivity, specificity, and shelf life, as well as transport studies. Clinical trials are the second component, where real-world usage of the product is evaluated in the field. Our investment in the analytical laboratory allows us to offer a comprehensive service, part of which includes collaborating with customers in building their technical files. Moreover, we can manage their clinical trials while performing all necessary analytical testing within our own laboratory. We felt there was a significant opportunity in this area, as many existing testing laboratories primarily focus on therapeutics, whereas we are a dedicated IVD and MedTech laboratory. This focus not only supports the rest of the business but also allows us to provide our services on a standalone basis. Our laboratory has been up and running for the best part of six months and is very busy. We are planning to invest in and expand our laboratory service to make it available at our US facility in Madison, Wisconsin shortly. Establishing this analytical laboratory services in the US is a key part of our expansion plans, as it facilitates the transfer of clinical samples within the territory without dealing with the logistical challenges of shipping across the Atlantic,” Chris ends.
Abingdon’s investments in the US and in the establishment of its analytical performance lab reflect its commitment to innovation and comprehensive service. By integrating cutting-edge analytical capabilities, a flexible manufacturing approach and a global footprint, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the field of in-vitro diagnostic solutions and beyond.