Randox hosts Health Minister Simon Hamilton at Minister on the Move Event
Randox hosts Health Minister Simon Hamilton at Minister on the Move Event
A focus on pioneering innovation that improves wellbeing and enables preventative healthcare is at the heart of Randox Laboratories – that’s according to our Managing Director, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, who was speaking at the latest ‘Minister on the Move’ event held in Crumlin yesterday.
Dr. FitzGerald hosted Health Minister Simon Hamilton, the Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) Ann McGregor and over 60 businesses from across Northern Ireland at the Randox headquarters as part of the business led initiative by NI Chamber in partnership with American Airlines and British Airways.
The ‘Minister on the Move’ initiative provides businesses with an opportunity to speak directly with Ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive at a number of locations across the province – whilst also providing them with an opportunity to hear the inspirational success story of a local company, hosted in the company’s facilities.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, explained the key to the company’s success:
“We firmly believe that diagnostics are key to improving healthcare systems around the world. More sensitive, accurate and comprehensive diagnostics enable greater preventative care – improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden on healthcare services. We take our commitment to R&D very seriously and Randox is at the forefront of life-changing research and development in the diagnostics industry. We are proud to say that our innovative diagnostic tests are paving the way for the future of health care.”
The event also provided an open forum for delegates to share their views with the Health Minister Simon Hamilton, who said:
“In a week where Health has been in the headlines because of the pressures facing our Emergency Departments, it is clear that my priority as Minister must always be providing high quality health and care services for our people.
“But in sketching out my vision for a world class Health and Social Care system for Northern Ireland, I have equally indicated that a characteristic of a pioneering Health Service is one that has a productive partnership with industry.
“Health is a sizeable segment of Northern Ireland’s economy. We have around 130 companies with a turnover of close to £1 billion a year, employing approximately 7,500 in the sector. Randox is a genuine world leader and we are proud of what the company has achieved.
“The Department of Health already makes a major contribution to the Northern Ireland economy and not just in the sense of being an employer of almost 70,000 people, a spender of nearly £5 billion annually, an investor of in excess of £200 million each year in infrastructure projects and the importance of a healthy population to economic prosperity. There are also many outstanding existing examples of our health sector, academia and industry working in a productive partnership to develop and enable new products and speedily translate them into patient care.
“I know that Health is not an economic department in the way that DETI or DEL are but I want the work of my Department to play its fullest role in growing the local economy. We have an impressive record already of working closely with our universities and the business community with some significant success. But I want us to go further.
“It is my intention to convene a roundtable discussion involving key stakeholders from industry, academia and the public sector to conduct an examination of how Health can do more to encourage economic growth.”
Commenting on the Minister on the Move initiative, Ann McGregor, Chief Executive of NI Chamber, concluded:
“Chambers of Commerce are committed to helping businesses grow and we see ‘Minister on the Move’ as being an important and mutually beneficial initiative for both business and government. It will create a forum for the open exchange of views leading to a better understanding of the importance of public policy and the economic environment in which we operate. We all have the shared aim of growing the Northern Ireland economy and an initiative such as this one allows us to keep in regular contact along the way.”
Are you a life scientist, engineer or software developer? Come along to our open day at Randox Teoranta
Ever wondered about world leading career opportunities in County Donegal? Do you want a rewarding and challenging career in the global Life Sciences industry matched with an equally high quality of life?
Randox Teoranta are building a workforce of 540 in Dungloe, operating from the modernised facilities in Meenmore, Dungloe.
The plans call for a total of 180 research scientists and engineers, 270 high quality manufacturing operatives and 90 support staff, all of whom will be able to call the breathtaking beauty of County Donegal their home.
With this expansion in mind, opportunities now exist for life scientists, conducting R&D into a wide range of clinical conditions, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Software Engineers to develop and support the pioneering analysers and diagnostics tests that make Randox Laboratories a world leader in the diagnostic market.
If you want to develop a world-class career, improving and saving lives through cutting-edge biotechnology that is no less awe-inspiring than the breath-taking natural surroundings of Donegal – drop in to our informal Christmas Eve Open Morning to find out more.
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, and the visionary behind this expansion, commented;
“Randox are committed to expanding our operations in Dungloe and see the diaspora networks as key to our success. As well as employing locally, we want to draw top class talent back to Donegal from the great Irish diaspora. We can offer great careers to the right people, combined with the wonderful Co. Donegal lifestyle.”
Career opportunities are available now in Randox Teoranta, Dungloe, for:
• Graduates in life sciences; mechanical, electrical and embedded engineering; software testing; and software development.
• Those with industrial experience within life sciences; diagnostics; medical device engineering; and software development.
On our Christmas Eve Open Morning you will have the opportunity to meet with current Randox Teoranta members of staff, take a tour of our ultra-modern facilities and ask all the questions you’ve ever wanted to know about Randox Teoranta.
Randox Teoranta Christmas Eve Open Morning
9a.m. – 11.30a.m.
Address: Randox Teoranta, Meenmore, Dungloe, Co. Donegal.
Tel: +353 7495 22600
Randox Announces 8 new Programmes for RIQAS
Randox Quality Control are pleased to announce, as part of our ongoing growth and development, the launch of 8 new RIQAS EQA Programmes, with cycles scheduled to begin in March 2016.
The new programmes are; CSF, Sweat Testing, Immunosuppressants, Trace Elements in Serum, Trace Elements in Urine, Trace Elements in Blood, Anti-TSH Receptor, Cyfra 21-1.
These new RIQAS programmes will provide clinical laboratories with the ability to review calibration issues, systematic errors and monitor accuracy and bias. Furthermore these laboratories will be able to assess their analytical performance in comparison with other laboratories which are employing the same instrument or methods.
Our new programmes are available in liquid and lyophilised formats, covering the full clinical decision range, reassuring clinicians and patients that the results your laboratory is releasing are accurate and reliable. Monthly reporting supports the rapid identification of errors and allowing you to implement the necessary corrective actions therefore saving you the need for expensive and time consuming patient sample retests.
Finally our rapid report turnaround will ensure that you receive you results within 24-72 hours and, if required, corrective actions can then be implemented before the next cycle, saving valuable time and money by eliminating the need for expensive retests and providing peace of mind.
RIQAS is the largest international EQA scheme used by more than 32,000 laboratory participants in 123 countries. With large, international peer groups such as this you can be confident of the statistical validity of our extensive database of instrument and method results.
For more information visit www.randoxqc.com or contact us via Acusera@randox.com.
QC Industry Articles & White Papers
A simple swab test developed by Randox scientists could help curb the antibiotic resistance pandemic.
The test, which can rapidly detect and identify the cause of 21 respiratory infections in just 5 hours, can subsequently determine the appropriate antibiotic drug treatment for patients.
Following the Lancet Infectious Diseases report last week that antibiotic resistance is growing at a rapid rate, with many ‘superbugs’ completely unresponsive to antibiotics, it is more important than ever that antibiotics are only prescribed when they will effectively treat an infection.
With 70% of GPs admitting that they prescribe antibiotics when they are unsure if they are treating a viral or bacterial infection, many patients are therefore taking antibiotics when they are ineffective in treating viral infections.
Given that only bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, rapid diagnostic tests are urgently needed to identify bacterial and viral infections.
Professor Peter Coyle, who leads one of the UK’s Regional Virology Laboratories in Belfast diagnosing infectious diseases, warns against antibiotic misuse:
“The commonest types of respiratory infection are of viral origin and antibiotics are ineffective in their treatment. Improving the diagnosis of respiratory infections is an important goal in improving patient management and reducing antimicrobial resistance. The threat of antimicrobial resistance and the loss of effective antibiotics has become a major and growing concern in health care provision.”
The new rapid and accurate test will give both patient and GP confidence of their diagnosis of respiratory infections and will allow for quicker treatment if necessary.
Making this test available through GPs would have additional efficiency savings for the NHS, by eliminating the need for lengthy microbiology lab tests and unnecessarily prescribing drugs which are not needed.
John Lamont, Chief Scientist at Randox Laboratories, whose team developed the test, commented;
“Current diagnostic testing for respiratory infections take at least 36 hours to confirm the nature of an infection, and they cannot name and categorise infections as bacterial or viral in the way that this new respiratory test can. C-reactive protein tests, for example, that are currently in use can only indicate whether a bacterial infection is likely. We need more than just guess work to combat the antibiotic resistance pandemic.”
Simple swab test taking the guess work out of antibiotic prescription
A simple swab test developed by Randox scientists could help curb the antibiotic resistance pandemic.
The test, which can rapidly detect and identify the cause of 22 respiratory infections in just 5 hours, can subsequently determine the appropriate antibiotic drug treatment for patients.
Following the Lancet Infectious Diseases report last week that antibiotic resistance is growing at a rapid rate, with many ‘superbugs’ completely unresponsive to antibiotics, it is more important than ever that antibiotics are only prescribed when they will effectively treat an infection.
With 70% of GPs admitting that they prescribe antibiotics when they are unsure if they are treating a viral or bacterial infection, many patients are therefore taking antibiotics when they are ineffective in treating viral infections.
Given that only bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, rapid diagnostic tests are urgently needed to identify bacterial and viral infections.
Professor Peter Coyle, who leads one of the UK’s Regional Virology Laboratories in Belfast diagnosing infectious diseases, warns against antibiotic misuse:
“The commonest types of respiratory infection are of viral origin and antibiotics are ineffective in their treatment. Improving the diagnosis of respiratory infections is an important goal in improving patient management and reducing antimicrobial resistance. The threat of antimicrobial resistance and the loss of effective antibiotics has become a major and growing concern in health care provision.”
The new rapid and accurate test will give both patient and GP confidence of their diagnosis of respiratory infections and will allow for quicker treatment if necessary.
Making this test available through GPs would have additional efficiency savings for the NHS, by eliminating the need for lengthy microbiology lab tests and unnecessarily prescribing drugs which are not needed.
John Lamont, Chief Scientist at Randox Laboratories, whose team developed the test, commented;
“Current diagnostic testing for respiratory infections take at least 36 hours to confirm the nature of an infection, and they cannot name and categorise infections as bacterial or viral in the way that this new respiratory test can. C-reactive protein tests, for example, that are currently in use can only indicate whether a bacterial infection is likely. We need more than just guess work to combat the antibiotic resistance pandemic.”
Randox Laboratories and Biosystems International announce completion of clinical trial and licencing for QuantiPlasmaTM antibodies for early lung cancer diagnostics
Randox Laboratories and Biosystems International today announced the beginning of clinical validation of a lung cancer early detection test.
A recent clinical trial involving over 1100 samples has been carried out in partnership with BioDiagnostica Kft across four leading lung cancer treatment centers in Hungary, and the promising results have resulted in advancing the test for further clinical validation.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, with over 1.8 million new cases diagnosed in 2012 (13% of total cancer diagnosis)1. As most lung cancer cases are diagnosed at a late stage this test provides an opportunity for earlier diagnosis across the world.
Randox Chief Scientist, John Lamont, comments: “This large study has produced some exciting results and we are looking towards validating the test to bring it to a wider market. This blood test can play a significant part in the early detection of lung cancer and distributing it to a global market will support easier and early diagnosis of this disease.”
Laszlo Takacs, CEO and CTO of Biosystems International adds: “Our mAb libraries proved to be valuable for detecting both qualitative and quantitative variability of the proteome in cancer. With Randox we are looking forward to continuing towards market introduction of the early detection test for lung cancer”.
Biosystems International Kft, BioDiagnostica Kft and Randox have signed a licencing agreement which enables Randox to distribute the test globally.
Randox scientists showcase our home-grown healthcare innovation at the world’s largest medical exhibition
Randox Laboratories is representing our ever-growing knowledge economy this week at the world’s largest medical exhibition, the Medica World Forum for Medicine International Trade Fair.
Randox is joining a host of other healthcare exhibitors from over 120 countries, on over 1.3million square feet of exhibition space at the Düsseldorf Fairgrounds in Germany. The event, which runs for four days between Monday and Thursday, will showcase the latest developments across a range of medical sectors including Laboratory Equipment, Diagnostics, Physiotherapy and Orthopedic Technology, Communication and Information Technology, and Medical Services and Publications.
The Medica Trade Fair provides Randox and over 4800 other exhibitors the opportunity to showcase new and existing diagnostic capabilities to the world. With key manufacturing sites in Co. Antrim and Co. Donegal, in India and just outside Washington DC, Randox Laboratories diagnostics are already used and trusted by medical professionals across the globe, and are also available to the general public at Randox Health Clinics in Northern Ireland and in London.
Exporting to 145 countries, and with more tests in development than any other diagnostics company, Randox is a leading innovator in the fight against illnesses such as cancer, coronary heart disease and diabetes, and is dedicated to saving and improving lives around the globe through preventative healthcare and early diagnosis.
At the Medica Fair, 30 members of the Randox team, including Senior Managers and Expert Scientists from a range of disciplines, will showcase to over 130,000 visitors a range of novel diagnostic tests for conditions such as diabetes, aspirin resistance, cardiovascular risk and gastric problems – highlighting just how our home-grown scientists are benefiting lives across the globe.
John Lamont, Chief Scientist at Randox Laboratories, commented:
“As a firmly established event in the medical calendar, The Medica Fair is the perfect opportunity for Randox to display to the global healthcare industry how our world-class diagnostics make a difference in the lives of so many patients across the world. From routine cholesterol checks to complex tests used in diagnosis of respiratory conditions, Randox is working behind the scenes from the moment you provide a blood sample to your GP.
In addition to our range of current extensive capabilities, we are also excited to share some new tests for aspirin resistance, cardiovascular risk and gastric problems at the Medica Fair, the hub of the medical trade. Randox is at the forefront of life-changing research and development in the medical industry and we are proud that we can show the Medica audience how our innovative diagnostic tests are paving the way for the future of healthcare.”
The Medica World Forum for Medicine International Trade Fair runs from Monday 16th to Thursday 19th November, and Randox will be in Hall 3 at Stand A08.
Randox promotes Donegal to Diaspora in the US
Donegal will be promoted as a world-class place to live and do business, at a leading Irish-American event in Boston this week.
The annual conference of Irish Networks USA, which connects Irish associations in cities across the US in order to bolster business, cultural, and community links between the United States and Ireland, is taking place between 5th and 8th November.
Irish and Irish-American professionals living across the US will attend the event, to engage with the Irish diaspora and with key envoys from Irish businesses. Supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, those attending will have the opportunity to hear from speakers including the Irish Ambassador to the United States, Anne Anderson, and Mark Redmond, Chief Executive of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland.
Additional backing for the event comes from Tourism Ireland and leading Donegal-based company, Randox Laboratories, which boasts facilities in Dungloe, as well as Co. Antrim and the Greater Washington DC area. Through reaching out to the Irish diaspora in the US, the company plans to promote the growing economy in Donegal through the creation of hundreds of new jobs over the next few years, as well as promote opportunities at the US facility near Washington DC.
The event kicks off on Thursday evening with a welcome gathering for those who have travelled to Boston from across the US, before the conference begins on Friday 6th November, where attendees will engage on a range of topics including global education, transatlantic business links, and the global Irish diaspora network. Delegates are then invited to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Irish Network Boston at the historic venue of Massachusetts Old State House.
Mark Campbell, Senior Manager at Randox Laboratories, is speaking at the conference:
“We are delighted to promote Donegal as a world-class destination for life-science professionals. Working with the diaspora network, we can get the message out there that Donegal has exciting career opportunities, great community networks and strong infrastructure, proving it to be a highly desirable place to work and live.
Additionally, as Randox expands its operations in the US, we are keen to promote our facility in the Greater Washington DC area where there will be increasing job opportunities over the next few months.”
Calling all Ulster University Students: Tweet your way on to the Randox APEX Programme
Are you The One for Randox?
That’s the question Randox Careers are asking first year students this week, with the launch of an innovative new recruitment campaign for their competitive APEX Programme, which employs first year undergraduates across various divisions of the global diagnostics company.
The campaign, named #IAmTheOneUU, which begins this week with a number of recruitment presentations in Ulster University, is taking a fresh approach to the way first years can apply for the APEX Programme, by inviting applicants to submit ‘video auditions’ on social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Using a video no longer than 15 seconds and a 140 character cover note, the aim of this unique method of application is to give first year university students the opportunity to succinctly and effectively convey their personality, creativity, initiative and drive, in a lively and imaginative way; displaying why they are ‘The One’ for Randox.
Successful APEX applicants from Ulster University will progress throughout Randox over the course of four years; moving from a summer of paid full-time work experience, to a paid placement year within the company, to ultimately obtaining a full time position at Randox, subject to gaining a 2:1 or above.
The importance of this opportunity cannot be underestimated; with many students having difficulty finding jobs after graduation, the APEX Programme will help 50+ students this year really get their foot on the career ladder, and build relationships with a thriving market leader in the healthcare industry.
Linda Magee, Randox Human Resources Manager, is excited to launch such a novel campaign that resonates so well with first year students;
“The #IAmTheOneUU application process for the Randox APEX Programme is a fresh and dynamic campaign that utilizes the power of social media and harnesses the skills of the tech-savvy generation. Young people of this age are well-acquainted with the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and by using their social media capabilities to display their personality and ambition, they can successfully achieve their career goals in positions ranging from Business and Marketing to Biological and Life Sciences, Graphic Design to Mathematics and Physics, and Engineering to Computer Technology. For busy first years this exciting yet simple method of application is the perfect way for them to introduce themselves to Randox. Get posting – you could be The One!”
Any first year undergraduates at Ulster University who wish to join the Randox APEX Programme should upload a 15 second video with accompanying 140 character note to either Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, making sure to include the hashtag #IAmTheOneUU.
Visit Iamtheone.randox.com for more information.
Camerata Ireland and Randox Laboratories working together in perfect harmony for the orchestra’s South America tour
As global sponsor of Camerata Ireland, Randox will be taking to the world’s stage with the all-Ireland orchestra in South America this week, as the Chamber Orchestra begins their South American tour tonight in Buenos Aires.
World-renowned pianist and conductor Barry Douglas and his orchestra of talented musicians, whose joint patrons are Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland and Queen Elizabeth II, have made the long journey from Ireland to Argentina for tonight’s performance, to display the rich Irish musical heritage to South American audiences.
The tour, which begins this evening in the renowned Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires will see the all-Ireland orchestra perform a diverse tapestry of classical music, led by Camerata Ireland founder and 1986 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition Winner Barry Douglas, and supported by distinguished flautist Eimear McGeown, who has established a busy and varied musical career since winning Camerata Young Musician of the Year in 2006.
Tomorrow night the orchestra will remain in Argentina for a performance at the Teatro El Círculo Laprida in Rosario and on Friday night will capture the audience of the Teatro del Libertador in Córdoba, and finally head to Santiago de Chile for the final installment of their South American tour in the Teatro CorpArtes. Barry and Eimear are also performing at a special event at the British Consulate in São Paulo in Brazil.
Barry Douglas, Creator and Artistic Director of Camerata Ireland said;
“We are all thrilled to be here in South America for our tour across the continent – there is nothing quite like music in its ability to connect with cultures across the globe. Music as a universal language can be understood and appreciated by anyone, and we are excited to be able to convey an image of Ireland to audiences across South America, through our performances. We are equally delighted that we can share this experience with Randox Laboratories, who continue to help the growth and development of our orchestra, and we couldn’t have achieved our internationally-acclaimed reputation without them.”
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director at Randox Laboratories said;
“It is not surprising that at Randox we truly value our partnership with Camerata Ireland, given that both organisations rely on the same values of passion and enthusiasm for their international success. On behalf of everyone here at Randox I would like to wish Camerata Ireland all the best with their South America tour. We are delighted that Barry Douglas and his orchestra continue to showcase our Irish musical talent across the globe, and it brings us great joy knowing that Randox can simultaneously support our young Irish musicians in their careers while also strengthening key business relationships and promoting exports.”
Camerata Ireland will perform tonight the 21st October in Buenos Aires, in Rosario on the 22nd October, in Cordoba the 23rd October, at The British Consulate in São Paulo on the 28th, and will also perform two events in Santiago de Chile on the 29th and 30th October.
