Raising Awareness of Lab21 in the Field of Diagnostics

Media Relations

Lab21 is as dynamic and rapidly growing healthcare diagnostics company which specialises in providing patients and healthcare providers with blood bank screening, medical diagnostics and drug discovery products and services.

Having already made two company acquisitions earlier in 2011, Lab21 recently announced a collaboration with Becton Dickinson to develop a new molecular assay for Aspergillus sp., a leading cause of death in immunocompromised patients, with an estimated 10 million people at risk globally each year.

Around the same time, Berwyn Clarke, Lab21’s Chief Scientific Officer, took part in a press conference of the Human Genetics Commission (HGC) to publicise their report on diagnostic testing and IP.  Key findings and recommendations from the report included:

• UK research councils and other major biomedical research funders should review their guidelines on licensing of patents.
• There is a need to establish a biomarker IP monitoring function within the Department of Health or appropriate cross-department office.
• More support is needed for senior management in the NHS at a national level to develop the capacity to manage biomarker IP issues.
• Generation of more independent evidence is required on the impact of biomarker IP on diagnostic innovation.

Objectives

• Increase awareness to relevant audiences about the collaboration with Becton Dickinson to develop a new molecular diagnostic for Aspergillus.
• Raise the profile of Lab21 as a thought leader in the field of genetic screening.

Our Approach

• Developed a press release with the team at Becton Dickinson, distributed release and followed up with key media contacts.
• Wrote and distributed a press release around the HGC report to coincide with the press conference. College Hill liaised with media attending the conference in advance to interview Berwyn Clarke and also followed up with those who could not attend following the conference.

Results

The Human Genetics Commission report was covered and Berwyn Clarke was quoted in a number of national and trade publications including the Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, Bloomberg, Science, Science Business and Business Weekly. Coverage of the Lab21/ Becton Dickinson collaboration was secured with a series of stories appearing in leading trade publications and wires such as Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, GenomeWeb, Fierce Medical Devices, IVDT Insight, Infection Control Today and Reuters.

Client Endorsement

Graham Mullis, CEO of Lab21 commented: “We were very pleased with the coverage we received on the back of these news items. We were very happy in particular with the coverage following the HGC report, resulting from the press release initiated by College Hill.”

September 2011

To discuss our capability in this area please contact:

Nicole Yost, Associate Partner
+44 (0)20 7457 2020
nicole.yost[at]collegehill.com

© 2012 College Hill | Registered in England No 1036926 / VAT No 245666930 | Legal

other clients