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About RAPIvD

RAPIvD is a contract research and manufacturing company that specialises in developing lateral flow and other in vitro diagnostic (IVD) technologies.

The company was established in 2018 by one of the world's most experienced IVD scientists, Dr Robert Porter. 

Rob's first project (in the mid 1980’s) was to assist with the development of the first ‘at home’ lateral flow test, Clearblue. This followed his father’s patented technique of using paired monoclonal antibodies to bind to antigens. With almost 40 years of experience in this specialist field, Rob has the knowledge and network to provide customers with new and better lateral flow and other IVD devices.


The covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the value of large-scale, low-cost, convenient and accurate point-of-care diagnostic tests. The increased awareness of the technology accelerated the growing interest in its capabilities. 

 

RAPIvD has a team of dedicated scientists and high quality laboratory and manufacturing facilities at its headquarters in Colworth, Bedfordshire, UK. 

 

The company is ISO 13485 certified.

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Our Purpose

We find new and better ways to make lateral flow and other IVD technology more:

  • Convenient:
    easier, quicker and simpler to use
     

  • Accurate:
    consistently reliable in terms of sensitivity, specificity and clarity
     

  • Affordable:
    making high quality products more accessible to more people
     

  • Sustainable:
    Increasing use of materials that are kinder to the planet

Our Values

We have three core values that guide our work practices, recruitment and the interactions with our customers.
 

  • Knowledge: Our knowledge is our biggest asset, and we pride ourselves on our experience, expertise and a relentless thirst for progress in our field.
     

  • Quality: Our standards are extremely high… and we’re always looking for improvements.
     

  • Integrity: We always aim to 'do the right thing'. We act in good faith, meeting successes and challenges with professionalism, honesty and decency.

Meet The Team

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Founder & CEO

​PhD, Chemistry & Immunodiagnostics

MPhil, Chemistry

BSc, Chemistry

 

University of Wales, Swansea

Biography

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Dr Tina Hurst

COO

​​PhD, Exercise & Nutrition Immunology,

MSc, Environmental Analysis & Health

BSc, Microbiology

 

Loughborough University; University of Wales, Swansea

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Katy Kendrick

Quality & Office Manager

​Internal Auditor

Biography

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Richard Wightman

Head of Marketing & Communications

BA Politics 

 

University of Wales, Swansea

Biography

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Bella Howard

Research Scientist (Level 2)
BSc, Biological Sciences

    

University of Reading

Biography 

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Chloë Armitage

Research Scientist (Level 2)

BSc. Biological Sciences 

 

Oxford Brookes University

Biography

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Callum Byrne-Stott

Research Scientist

BSc. Biomedical Science

 

Keele University

Biography

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Leah Richards

Research Scientist

BSc. Psychology

 

University of Hertfordshire

Biography

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Howard Sheppard

Head of Finance

​​Qualified Accountant

Platypus of the Month

The King of Weirdos

The platypus is our unofficial mascot.

Described on a YouTube video as The King of Weirdos, we figured that it represented us rather well.

Each month, we choose our own King of Weirdos. This month, it's:

Callum at Christmas

Callum Byrne-Stott

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