App that warns children about dangerous stress levels wins Randox Invent 2016 award
App that warns children about dangerous stress levels wins Randox Invent 2016 award
A gaming app that helps children learn how to deal with stress and prevent serious mental health problems has scooped one of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious prizes for innovation during the annual INVENT Awards. Entrepreneur Fintan Connolly, a pharmacist, won the Randox-sponsored Life and Health category for his app which is based on providing real-time biofeedback to players – educating young people and helping them consciously control their emotions.
Following the ceremony last night an emotional Fintan said,
“This is a validation of all I’ve done – it is recognition that you’re on the right path, that what you’re doing is meaningful. I’ve always been fascinated by stress particularly in young children, and I wanted to upskill kids to help them deal with everyday situations. Young people face greater mental health problems today than ever before – the figures are startling and frightening. If they don’t understand the concept of self-regulation – they can’t understand the sense of empowerment. However by showing them in a visual way what is happening inside them, they get it. You use technology to help them because that is their domain.”
As well as sharing the £33,000 prize fund, the Take Ten team now travels to California as part of the NI Tech Mission. TakeTen are due to launch an advanced version of the app next month, which is designed to specifically support children diagnosed with cancer. Early in the New Year, they’ll also begin trials of the app in schools in California.
Randox Chief Scientist John Lamont who was part of the judging panel said,
“We were very proud to sponsor the Life and Health award at Invent 2016. This competition, run by Catalyst Inc, plays a crucial role in supporting the many inspiring innovators across Northern Ireland. We recognise that desire as it was of course the very reason Dr Peter FitzGerald established Randox and why we established our own student and graduate programmes, which had a record intake this year. The judges were blown away by the quality of the ideas we were presented with during Invent 2016, and every one that made it through to the finals of this prestigious competition deserved their place. Fintan’s passion to improve the health of young people was clear from the start and his app has great potential. We look forward to following his journey and wish him the very best in the future.”
For further information contact Nicola McHugh nicola.mchugh@randox.com
Randox Health to sponsor the two feature contests at The Showcase
Randox is pleased to announce that Randox Health will sponsor two £50,000 handicap chases at The Showcase on Saturday, October 22 – the Randox Health Handicap Steeple Chase (3.30pm) over two miles and the Randox Handicap Steeple Chase (1.50pm) over three miles and a furlong.
Earlier this year, Randox Health signed a five-year agreement to become title sponsors of the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree from 2017 and was also unveiled as the official healthcare partner of The Jockey Club, joining an esteemed and growing list of Group Partners. By embarking on this Group-wide partnership the Jockey Club is striving to raise Randox Health’s message of preventive health and wellbeing amongst its members, and to the wider racing audience of all Jockey Club Racecourses.
The Randox Health Handicap Steeple Chase and the Randox Handicap Steeple Chase are the richest races over the two days of The Showcase, which gets Cheltenham’s new season underway on Friday and Saturday, October 21 and 22.
Popular chaser Balthazar King captured the Randox Handicap Steeple Chase three years on the bounce (2011, 2012, 2013) and was runner-up to Pineau De Re in the 2014 Grand National.
The Randox Health Handicap Steeple Chase, run at two and a half miles up to and including 2014, has provided some valuable pointers to the BetVictor Gold Cup at The Open in November. Johns Spirit captured both races in 2013, as did Shooting Light (2001) and The Outback Way (1999).
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Health, is looking forward to The Showcase which marks the beginning of the roll out of Randox Health branding across Jockey Club courses;
“We are thrilled to be able to bring the name of Randox Health to the participants and viewers of the Randox Handicap Steeple Chase and the Randox Health Handicap Steeple Chase. The races mark the beginning of our partnership with the Jockey Club, whose courses are the perfect platform to highlight the benefits of our Randox Health Preventive Health Programmes to the public, and also to bring the other diagnostic capabilities of our healthcare company, including Equine Health and Food Testing, amongst others, to the attention of equestrian enthusiasts. Our health is our most valuable commodity and so we want to keep the horse racing fraternity healthy so they are able to enjoy such fantastic events as The Showcase.”
Carey Buckler, Regional Head of Partnerships, South West Region, Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “I am delighted that Randox Health are to sponsor at Cheltenham during The Showcase.
“Their involvement with The Jockey Club is really exciting and it is great that we are able to work with them across the group ahead of next year’s Randox Health Grand National.”
For further information please contact our Randox Comms Team on 028 9445 1016 or email amy.mcilwaine@randox.com
Grand National sponsor Randox hosts Polo event in Bushmills, Northern Ireland
New Grand National sponsor, Randox hosted a unique event in Bushmills this weekend – an International Polo tournament with teams taking part from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and South Africa.
Guests from around the world who made the journey to Northern Ireland for the Polo event were given a warm welcome – they were treated to an intimate performance from world renowned concert pianist Barry Douglas on the evening of Friday 16th September, in the recently acquired Dundarave Estate.
The Randox NI Polo was the first of its kind and over 500 guests made their way to the North Coast town to attend the inaugural event. The day kicked off with the Police Service Northern Ireland pipe band who entertained the crowds before the tournament began. Guests included Pamela Ballantine and the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mrs. Joan Christie OBE who delivered the match ball of the opening game.
It was a victory for Scotland during the first nail-biting game of the tournament, as they went head to head with the team from Northern Ireland. But it was South Africa who emerged the winners of the 2016 tournament, after beating the team from the Republic of Ireland and scoring more goals than any other team. The weekend’s events ended with a Gala Ball and dinner, followed by a breath-taking firework display which was also enjoyed by members of the Bushmills community.
Randox Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, a keen horseman and horse sports enthusiast, said he is looking forward to the highly anticipated Polo event;
“We’ve been engaged on the Point-to-Point scene in Northern Ireland for many years, close to our Randox headquarters in County Antrim, but up until now have never had the opportunity to also host a Polo tournament in Northern Ireland. We’re delighted to be able to now hold the event in the beautiful scenery of the North Coast and to bring the Randox Health message to our Polo guests. By taking care of your wellbeing you can ensure that you enjoy days out in Northern Ireland – such as the Randox Polo event – to the fullest.”
Earlier this year, it was announced that Randox Health will sponsor the Grand National, in a five year deal which starts in 2017.
At the time of the sponsorship announcement earlier this year, FitzGerald commented;
“We see this partnership as a natural fit, as both organisations invest heavily in the future and we aim to use our partnership to promote a positive lifestyle and to bring enjoyment to millions of people. We care about people’s health and this is the people’s race.”
As the company expands and develops – more than 370 million people across 145 countries now receive medical diagnosis via Randox products – it seems fitting that Randox would move from the local horse sports scene to the world’s greatest race.
But the global healthcare company is remaining true to its roots, continuing to host the Point-to-Point events that have been synonymous with the company for so long. And by bringing the Polo event to Bushmills, and opening its doors to the public, Randox is saying ‘we haven’t forgotten where we come from.’
Randox unveils Future of Diagnostics Technology at Annual Global Distributorsā Conference
The future of diagnostic healthcare has been unveiled at the Randox Science Park in Antrim, as the company’s annual global distributors’ conference gets underway. Delegates from more than 90 countries are taking part in the world-leading healthcare firm’s three-day event at the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick.
As well as discussions about developments in reagents and quality control products, participants enjoyed demonstrations of Randox’s patented Biochip Array Technology and its extensive range of analysers from the RX Series.
Melansha Fernando from Alpha and Omega Diagnostics in Sri Lanka said,
“Randox has released so many new products recently that laboratories in my country are increasingly interested in what it can offer. As a result I felt it important to come here to learn more about the new technologies. The truly global nature of the company has been impressed upon me after meeting colleagues from so many different countries – I’m delighted to have been able to take part.”
Speaking at the conference, Dr. Peter Fitzgerald said,
“All exporters are aware of the considerable challenges we must overcome in order to do business in the global market but year on year our teams across the world have helped to drive our success. One of the biggest challenges Randox faces is the one we put to ourselves, to deliver truly transformative technologies and improve health worldwide. We recently celebrated our £1 billionth sale and we now look to build on that achievement and accelerate our rate of growth. All of our profits go straight to either R&D, or the development of our infrastructure, so strong growth is key to our goal of revolutionising diagnostics and saving lives across the world.”
Susan Hammond, Global Reagents Sales Manager said,
“It is a pleasure to see the diversity of our distributors gathered together in one room, and recognize how far we have come as an international company. We dedicated Thursday to focusing on building relationships with our worldwide distributors to ensure that they attain the best product knowledge available. Over 100,000 end users employ Randox products and every second of every day 80 Randox tests are used across the world, and it is vital our distributors are kept up to date with every new development.”
For more information on the Distributors’ Conference contact Amy in our PR Team by calling 028 9445 1016 or email amy.mcilwaine@randox.com
Randox hosts Polo Weekend 2016 in Scotland
Piano, polo and cardiac risk profiles were part of the mix enjoyed by more than a hundred guests from around the world at the annual Randox Laboratories’ weekend in Scotland.
World-renowned concert pianist Barry Douglas launched the event at Gleneagles Hotel with an intimate recital of his new music, as well as performing O’Carolan’s “Farewell to Music” and Tchaikovsky’s “Autumn Song.” The evening concluded with dinner and a talk from Manufacturing Manager David Martin who presented Randox’s innovative plans for the future which included our new state of the art Science Park.
A range of impressive seminars were held on Saturday morning, many of which were live-streamed for the first time on our social media channels to international followers. Guests were shown ground-breaking studies completed using Randox products, with the potential to truly transform the way healthcare is delivered. Highlights included a talk by Professor Ray Sherwood from Kings College London who studied “Cytokines for Diagnosis of POEMS syndrome and Castleman Disease” and research by Dr Ibrahim Mansoor from the International Medical Centre in Jeddah on “Extended Lipid Profile, Roles of sLDL”.
The polo match ball was hand delivered to Dr Peter FitzGerald by the Red Devils Parachute Regiment who impressed the crowds by jumping from thousands of feet up in the air to land squarely on the field at Errol Park. Some of the world’s best players took part including Sébastien Pailloncy (3-goals) who wore the England jersey. After three games, England were crowned the 2016 winners, South Africa followed closely behind as the runner up while Scotland came in at third place.
As well as the action on the polo field, guests enjoyed browsing a selection of stalls assembled by the Prince’s Trust (Randox official corporate charity) which included businesses such as “Maddy Burrows Illustrations,” “My Fantasy Bouquet” and “The Family Tree”.
The weekend’s events concluded that evening with the Highland Ball and dinner, followed by a breath-taking firework display – which was also enjoyed by members of the Errol community!
Plans are already underway for our next Polo Weekend – held this weekend for the first time at Dundarave House in Bushmills, Northern Ireland.
Randox welcomes record number of people to its student placement and graduate programme
71 people including scientists, engineers and IT specialists, from across the UK and Europe are taking the first steps in their Randox careers this week, as the company celebrates a record intake to its student placements and graduate programmes.
Now in its 26th year of providing student placements and 6th year for graduate programmes, Randox is recognised internationally for providing world-class opportunities for students and graduates – one of the core reasons that the global diagnostics company was established in 1982. Thirty years on, its founder Dr Peter FitzGerald remains as committed as ever to championing new talent and driving innovation.
Nadine McKerrow, who graduated this summer with a 2.1 in Biomedical Science from Ulster University, said,
“It’s always been my ambition to work for Randox because of the value it puts into R&D which is my speciality. Not only does it invest 16% of turnover into it – which is something very few companies do, but it’s also building the Randox Science Park which will house pioneering R&D labs. The research we do is going to make an incredible difference to saving lives and improving health, and I’m very proud to be part of the team.”
One of a number of people who have moved to Northern Ireland to take up a placement post is Ross Moir, a Chemistry student from the University of Edinburgh. He said,
“When I go into the lab, I am working beside people who came up with the test that detects Alzheimer’s – it’s incredibly inspirational. I’m not standing on the side-lines either – I’m getting right into the nitty-gritty of the work here. On-the-job experience with a company that is right now developing more new tests than any other diagnostics company in the world is an amazing opportunity.”
Randox founder Dr Peter FitzGerald said,
“I am pleased to welcome these ambitious and bright young people from across the UK and Europe to join the Randox team; they are key to continuing our success. It is no exaggeration to say that during the course of their careers many of them, through their innovative work in diagnostics within the labs at Randox, will save lives. The importance of supporting STEM students has never been so important, a fact recognised by business and political leaders across the world, and here at Randox we are delighted to be playing a significant part in that.”
University students across a range of disciplines take part in a 50-week placement with Randox. They gain invaluable experience in fields ranging from Business and Marketing to Biological and Life Sciences, Graphic Design to Mathematics and Physics, and Engineering to Computer Technology. At the end of their placements, subject to attaining a 2.1 degree or above, students are offered a full-time position in their chosen field.
Graduates enter a two-year programme, which is divided into a series of six-month placements, designed to provide a valuable insight into a variety of roles and departments. Many of the successful graduates who join Randox in full-time positions after this have progressed to attain senior positions within the Company.
Randox ramping up business in the US at AACC
Following its recent £1 billion sales announcement, Randox Laboratories is maintaining its focus on international markets, as a group of 30 representatives from the diagnostics company, which has headquarters in County Antrim, have travelled to the US this week, to take part in the world’s largest diagnostics conference – in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo, known as the leading event for laboratory medicine worldwide, is attended by over 20,000 delegates from across the globe, and offers Randox the opportunity to showcase their capabilities and to network with leading healthcare professionals and key decision makers.
Managing Director of Randox, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, explained the company’s focus on business with the US;
“The USA is one of our most important markets and we have been exporting our diagnostic products there since the early 1980s. For example, we have Randox Clinical Chemistry Analysers in key Ivy League Institutions, such as Yale University School of Medicine, and Harvard University. It is vital to nurture and develop these key relationships, as well as endeavor to establish new ones.”
Randox’s expertise in diagnostics means that the company has been able to diversify beyond healthcare, into the veterinary, research, forensic, and food safety sectors in the US. For example, a number of countries have implemented strict regulations on their meat imports in recent years, meaning that US exports have had to source new ways of demonstrating the quality of their products. Randox Food Diagnostics technology have enabled US exporters to demonstrate residue-free products, by screening for the growth promoter Ractopamine.
Randox’s Toxicology division is also at the forefront of one of the world’s key health challenges; ‘legal highs.’ Key state level agencies for forensic investigations, such as The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, are able to stay on top of this growing public health threat by custom ordering Randox biochips to test the most relevant drugs of abuse within their state.
Dr. FitzGerald continued;
“Following the Brexit decision there will of course be particular business challenges, but at Randox we will maintain our commitment to research and development, and seek new opportunities in international markets such as the US. A growing demand for Randox innovations in the US has supported a $10m investment in our new facility Kearneysville, in West Virginia, which will be officially opened later this year, and will enable us to strengthen our position in that market.”
AACC runs from the 31st July – 4th August at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Randox can be found at booth #2927.
Randox Celebrates Success at Global Sales Conference in Templepatrick
Randox employees gathered at the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick from 4th to 8th of July for their Global Sales Conference. The conference was aimed at celebrating the hard work and dedication of Randox employees in addition to providing a chance for team building and enhanced product training. The week was a great success with critical sales information being discussed on existing products but also on exciting new products set to launch later this year. Through these product focused workshops and interactive sessions (including case studies and market success stories) the company is sure to benefit from the experience!
Inclusive of 130 Randox sales representatives from across 23 different countries, the sales conference was a multi-cultural experience with employees from the UK and Ireland, USA, Australia, China, France, Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, the UAE, India, Puerto Rico, South Africa and Vietnam. To mark the diversity of the Randox team a series of presentations were given in the native language of Randox’s international employees; this really highlighted the global presence of Randox and enhanced the pride of Randox staff. This was further heightened by Dr Peter FitzGerald’s announcement of Randox hitting £1 billion of sales since inception.
Pride wasn’t the only factor adding to the motivation of Randox employees during the week. With the conference consisting of team briefings, training sessions and team building activities, Randox employees were boosted with a sense of support. These sessions focused on increasing their knowledge of current products, in addition to providing insight into new products which are soon to be released.
Speaking about these sessions, Global Marketing Manager, Eamon Lenehan said;
“It was fantastic to see so many of our sales teams, from across the world, in one place. It really highlighted the scale and reach of our business as a global company. The interactive sessions nurtured a sense of teamwork and debate across all product groups. The focus on unique selling points and key sales strategies for existing and exciting new products will enable our sales teams to reach and exceed their goals.”
Following this Global Marketing Manager, Stuart Penrose said;
“The interactive nature of our sessions really sang through; the main one being a “Master Mind” session that had a Magnus and 5 sales reps on the panels, all answering multiple choice questions and generating great debate amongst the team.”
All Randox divisions made an appearance from the Reagents, Quality Control and RX series clinical product divisions to Randox Biosciences, Food Diagnostics, Testing Services and Toxicology teams. To end the eventful week Randox employees were treated to a Gala dinner which was thoroughly enjoyed by all!
Randox diagnosed with success after hitting Ā£1 billion of sales since inception
Randox Laboratories has made an impressive business announcement this week – from inception in 1982 the global healthcare company has now surpassed £1 billion of total sales in medical diagnostic products.
Founded by Dr. Peter FitzGerald just outside Crumlin, Co Antrim, Randox sold its first ever diagnostic blood test to Aberystwyth University Hospital. Thirty four years later and the company has just made its billionth pound sale – highly innovative Respiratory Infection Biochips which test for multiple respiratory infections to quickly identify the most appropriate treatment – to a client in Saudia Arabia. This technology, which is unique to Randox, not only improves antibiotic prescribing, but reduces the risk of growing antimicrobial resistance – a major global healthcare threat.
The major sales announcement was made at the company’s Global Sales Conference, being held this week in the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick.
At this event, around 130 Randox sales representatives from across 23 different countries, including the UK and Ireland, the USA, Australia, China, France, Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, the UAE, India, Puerto Rico, South Africa and Vietnam are gathered together in Randox’s native Northern Ireland for this notable milestone in the company’s history.
With briefings, team building and training on both current products and new capabilities about to be launched, the aim of the conference is to equip staff to increase the rate of company growth. The conference will not only focus on product groups that advance human healthcare, such as Randox Reagents, Quality Control, Biosciences, and the RX Series Clinical Chemistry Analysers, but will also include Randox’s growing Food Diagnostics, Testing Services and Toxicology divisions.
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, explained the company’s plans following the £1 billion sales announcement;
“Whilst we have clearly made our mark on the global diagnostics sector, there is much more that we want to do, to save and improve lives globally. As such, once operational and infrastructure costs have been met, Randox reinvests all profits into further research and development and, as a result, we have more new tests in development than any other healthcare company in the world. This commitment to R&D has seen the successful development and expansion of Randox patented Biochip Array Technology – greatly improving the diagnosis of a wide range of conditions. For example, we are currently working on the early and accurate diagnosis of a range of cancers, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Our Randox Health clinics also allow newly validated tests to make a clinical impact more quickly than would normally be achieved through routine healthcare procurement processes. Whilst there is still much to be done in this area, with our first class people, our commitment to innovation and the world class facilities we are developing at the Randox Science Park in Antrim, in Dungloe in Co Donegal, in Bangalore in India and in West Virginia in the US, we are confident that we will continue to bring our cutting-edge diagnostics to more and more people across the globe.”
Randox Health sponsors Royal Ulster Yacht Club – 150 years of sailing excellence
World leader in preventive healthcare, Randox Health, is announced as the title sponsor of the 150th Anniversary celebrations for Royal Ulster Yacht Club at Bangor on Belfast Lough.
The fortnight of celebrations began on Friday 17th June with The Sigma 33 UK & Irish National Championships which attracted twenty boats from throughout the UK and Ireland. The 150th Keelboat event begins on Saturday 25th June until Sunday 26th June. This event has attracted not only local modern yachts but also some of the classics of the sport. The 150th Anniversary celebrations will conclude on Friday 1st July with a Gala Dinner.
Stuart Penrose, Global Marketing Manager of Randox Health is eagerly anticipating the 150th Keelboat event this weekend, and commented;
“We are proud to sponsor the Royal Ulster Yacht Club in its 150th year. As an innovative healthcare company committed to improving people’s health and wellbeing, we value the opportunity for people to get involved in competitive sport, that the RUYC offers. Sailing simultaneously brings benefits to your physical health, but getting out on the sea and taking in fresh air can contribute to your wellbeing too.”
The Randox Health team will also be in attendance at the event, where you can find information on the latest technology to better understand your current and future health.
Randox Health is committed to changing the landscape of preventative health care through a steadfast commitment to developing the most comprehensive and personalised health checks possible.
To find out more, contact the Randox Health team today:
0800 2545 130
