A Diverse Portfolio of Projects

The DEVOTE Programme launched with three innovative projects, each representing a collaboration between clinicians, academia, and industrial partners.

Each project aims to develop technology that addresses a clear unmet need with defined clinical and market potential. The programme seeks to meaningfully advance these technologies across the translational pathway, from biomarker identification through to bedside application.

Rapid Clopidogrel Diagnostics in Stroke

This project focuses on developing a rapid, cost-effective, point-of-care test for CYP2C19 genotyping at the patient's bedside to guide stroke therapy. The diagnostic test is being optimised and validated for performance evaluation in stroke patients, with the aim of supporting regulatory certification and subsequent commercialisation.

Approximately one in ten people carry a genetic variation that reduces the effectiveness of clopidogrel, the standard first-line treatment for preventing secondary strokes. By identifying these patients within minutes rather than weeks, clinicians can prescribe alternative treatments without delay. Health economic analysis suggests that deploying this approach at scale could prevent thousands of additional strokes each year while generating significant cost savings for the NHS.

Ultra-Rapid Genetic Point of Care Devices

To address the unmet need for new technological solutions that deliver ultra-rapid point-of-care genotyping, this project focuses on the development of a novel, rapid, and reprogrammable point-of-care system. The technology combines advanced gene recognition methods with organic electronics device platforms.

With proof of principle already demonstrated, this collaboration has the potential to stimulate significant academic and industry activity, building on Manchester's existing expertise in advanced materials. The deployment of such devices could fundamentally change the approach to precision diagnostics at the point of care.

The Pharmacogenetic Passport

Members of the DEVOTE team are leading an initiative to develop a comprehensive pharmacogenetic service. By partnering with a molecular diagnostics innovator, the project team is developing an end-to-end solution for pharmacogenetic testing and reporting, designed to overcome current barriers to widespread adoption.

The resulting tool will be a broad, ethnically inclusive gene panel capable of detecting a range of pharmacogenetic targets. An informatic solution will transfer the resulting data into the clinical setting, supporting regulatory certification. The system is being tested at NHS Foundation Trust sites across Greater Manchester, with the potential to capture a significant proportion of the pharmacogenetic testing market.

Quality Assurance

Cross-Project Quality Standards

In addition to the three core projects, the programme includes a quality assurance workstream that operates across all DEVOTE activities. This workstream focuses on the creation of external quality assessment schemes for pharmacogenetics and point-of-care systems. Quality assurance mechanisms for genomic point-of-care testing do not currently exist in a standardised form, and evidence from early adoption of pharmacogenetic testing indicates that clinical implementation may be slowed without access to appropriate quality control materials and frameworks.

Become an Industry Partner

Companies and organisations interested in finding out more about the DEVOTE Programme and its projects are welcome to get in touch using the link below.