London – October 28, 2026 -- Genefluence has begun using its near-patient PCR platform to screen for urinary tract infections (UTIs) at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, returning results in around one hour compared with the days typically needed for laboratory urine culture.
Test detects bacteria and resistance genes in a single run
The lab-free test identifies UTI-causing bacteria and specific antibiotic resistance genes. Clinicians can prescribe a targeted antibiotic immediately rather than start broad-spectrum drugs on a trial-and-error basis. Genefluence says this helps prevent deterioration that can lead to sepsis and further hospital admission, and reduces the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The Lab-in-Cartridge system uses a disposable cartridge to extract genetic material from the sample. The cartridge is inserted into a portable analyser that runs the full test from sample to result. Genefluence says the format suits care homes, GP surgeries and hospital wards.
Elderly patients with atypical symptoms are the target group
A 2025 review in BMJ Quality & Safety found that UTIs account for the most antibiotic prescriptions among older people in UK care homes and are a frequent cause of hospital admission. Older residents, especially those with dementia or cognitive decline, often lack classic symptoms such as pain or burning. They may instead show sudden confusion, agitation or lethargy, which can delay treatment or lead to antibiotics being prescribed on suspicion alone.
Dr Fergus Keating, Principal General Practitioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, said the technology gives "a reliable answer in around an hour", including whether key resistance genes are present. He said this allows immediate effective treatment, avoids unnecessary prescribing and helps patients stay well at home rather than going into hospital.
Platform traces back to 2020 COVID-19 test used at the same site
The technology was developed by Professor Chris Toumazou and his group at Imperial College London and Genefluence. It was originally created for consumer DNA testing and adapted in 2020 into a lab-free COVID-19 test deployed in NHS hospitals. That test was clinically validated in an Imperial College London-led study published in The Lancet Microbe. The Royal Hospital Chelsea, a registered charity and retirement home for British Army veterans, was among the original sites to use the COVID-19 version.
UKCA-marked portfolio spans three tests, with a sub-15-minute platform in development
Genefluence's UKCA-marked portfolio covers UTIs, CYP2C19 testing to support clopidogrel decisions in stroke, and DPYD testing to flag patients at increased risk of severe toxicity from fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy. The company is developing a next-generation platform to deliver full PCR results in under 15 minutes. It is also exploring applications including earlier cancer detection from home.