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Cambridgeshire UK, 18 July 2023 – LEX Diagnostics (LEX) today announces the appointment of Dr Heather Danks as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The company is revolutionising point-of-care molecular diagnostics with a step change in speed, sensitivity, and cost. LEX is developing a 5-minute multiplex PCR test to quickly determine the presence of a wide variety of common infectious diseases, including influenza and COVID-19.

LEX Diagnostics’ new CTO Dr Heather Danks, who has been promoted from her position of VP Molecular Development at the company, commented, “I am excited to embrace the role of CTO and support the team in the development of the LEX platform. We have core technology and reagents capable of re-defining PCR diagnostics at the point of care. I look forward to developing the LEX platform to harness the full potential of our technology and reagents and to put a strategic road map in place to enable significant impact in healthcare.”

LEX Diagnostics’ CEO Ed Farrell said, “I’m pleased to announce Heather as our CTO who will be responsible for leading the development of the LEX system and the future development strategy for the LEX platform. Heather’s leadership will be invaluable as we move the platform into the next stage of clinical development in ‘flu and COVID-19. We have an experienced and diverse team at LEX committed to the common goal of bringing our innovative thermal cycling technology, coupled with  our proprietary inhibitor tolerant reagent, to the healthcare market.”

Heather Danks is a molecular biologist with a PhD in Genetics and Cellular Biology from Newcastle University, UK. Prior to joining LEX in 2020, Heather held various roles within QuantuMDx, including Head of Assay Development where she focused upon development of a point of care diagnostics platform and accessory technologies for advanced sample preparation for various infectious disease targets.  Heather builds on a decade of experience in assay and device development from feasibility to product launch and has lead collaborations with industry, academia and the NHS.

LEX Diagnostics will be at the annual AACC meeting from 23-27July in Anaheim, California, on booth 2662. To arrange a meeting with Heather Danks, Ed Farrell, and colleagues, contact us on enquiries@lexdiagnostics.com.

LEX Diagnostics announces the appointment of Scott O’Brien as its new Board member.

The company is revolutionising molecular point-of-care diagnostics with a step change in speed, sensitivity, and cost. LEX is developing a 5-minute multiplex PCR test to quickly determine the presence of infectious diseases including SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), Influenza, Strep A, and RSV.

LEX Diagnostics’ new board member, Scott O’Brien, commented on his appointment, “I am delighted to be joining the LEX Diagnostics board. Our 5-minute PCR test has the potential to be game changing for healthcare providers thanks to its unique ability to gain accurate and fast clinical insights. I look forward to using my expertise to support the LEX team to bring this thermocycling technology to the healthcare market and see it translate into improved patient care.”

LEX Diagnostics’ Chair of the Board, Dr Andrew Baker-Campbell, said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Scott to LEX Diagnostics on behalf of the company. His track record of commercially developing fellow diagnostic companies is of great value as we push towards taking our innovative PCR technology to market. I look forward to seeing our progress accelerate under this growing team of expert staff and board members.”

Scott is a senior business leader with over 25 years of global life sciences and diagnostics industry experience across numerous roles from R&D, to marketing and commercial and C-suite. Scott has cemented his experience in the diagnostics field, most recently for Specific Diagnostics and GenMark Diagnostics, where he not only led corporate and commercial strategies towards and after product launch, but was also instrumental in the acquisition of both companies by pharma. Scott acquired his Bachelors in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and joins the board from San Diego, USA.

The company is revolutionising molecular point-of-care diagnostics with a step change in speed, sensitivity, and cost. LEX is developing a 5-minute multiplex PCR test to quickly determine the presence of infectious diseases including SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), Influenza, Strep A, and RSV.

LEX Diagnostics’ new CEO, Ed Farrell, commented on his appointment, “I’m thrilled to join the talented team at LEX and to work toward launching our 5-minute multiplex PCR test. Our goal is to rapidly bring our innovative thermocycling technology to the healthcare market, improving patient care worldwide and opening the door to syndromic testing by bringing the necessary clinical insights to healthcare providers within minutes.”

LEX Diagnostics’ previous CEO and now Chair of the Board, Dr Andrew Baker-Campbell, said, “On behalf of the company, I welcome Ed to LEX Diagnostics. He brings an abundance of operational experience from his successful career spanning the diagnostics and medtech industry. We are confident Ed will drive the translation of our technology into a commercial product. I look forward to continuing my role as Chair of the Board, overseeing the strategy of this innovative and exciting molecular diagnostics company.”

Ed brings over 25 years of life science experience gained through senior industry roles with an emphasis on medical devices and diagnostics. Immediately prior to joining LEX Diagnostics Ed was COO of Klay Biotech. From 2013 to 2021 Ed served as President/COO of Quotient Ltd where he led the development and realisation of the MosaiQ platform from concept to commercialisation. He also played a significant role with Quotient’s IPO on Nasdaq. Prior to Quotient, Ed held senior positions in operations in the UK, USA, and Ireland with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Masters degree in Engineering Science, from University College Dublin.