Every year, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) claims the lives of over a million people globally. The delay in effective diagnosis is a major contributing factor, as traditional Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) methods take 48-72 hours to yield results.
Enter… iFAST Diagnostics, a pioneering UK-based company established to revolutionise this process. iFAST has developed a rapid AST platform that can deliver results in under three hours, transforming the clinical landscape and saving lives in critical care settings such as sepsis and drug-resistant infections.
iFAST’s technology is built on a decade of research. It uses multi-frequency impedance to electrically measure thousands of bacteria simultaneously on a microfluidic chip.
This enables clinicians to identify the correct antibiotic treatment in a single shift, dramatically improving treatment timelines and outcomes. The platform maintains the accuracy, cost, and efficiency of traditional AST methods but in a fraction of the time, giving healthcare systems a powerful tool to combat AMR.
Initial investment from UKI2S
Helped iFAST secure a total of £5 million in seed funding with a top-up of £500,000
Enabled critical strategic partnerships and provided advisory support
“UKI2S has been instrumental in our growth, offering early-stage funding and strategic guidance. Their belief in our vision to combat AMR gave us the foundation to develop our technology and attract significant follow-on investment. We are immensely grateful for their continued support and commitment to impactful innovation.”
UKI2S has played a vital role in accelerating iFAST’s journey from groundbreaking research to scalable technology. Beyond the initial funding, UKI2S facilitated connections with co-investors and provided guidance on strategic milestones.
Their support de-risked the development process, paving the way for clinical trials and commercial partnerships. As iFAST prepares to launch in the UK and expand into the US and EU, UKI2S continues to stand as a pivotal partner in advancing health technology.
The global threat of AMR requires urgent and effective solutions, and iFAST Diagnostics is leading the charge. With a platform that promises rapid, accurate, and cost-effective results, iFAST is poised to make a lasting impact on patient care and global health. As their technology nears regulatory approval and market entry, the future looks promising for a world where life-saving antibiotic treatments are administered faster, improving outcomes and preserving lives.
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