Randox Laboratories

Company profile

Randox was established in 1982 by its current Managing Director, Peter FitzGerald in Crumlin, and has since expanded globally.

Randox is one of the major manufacturers of clinical diagnostic products in Ireland or the UK.

Research and development

Beginning with a team of six employees, the company started out in a hen house before relocating to larger premises, an apple store, which would later be converted to house the international headquarters of the business.

By the close of the decade, Randox had further developed its production facilities as a result of increased turnover and profit. Over the years, the organisation has since expanded its Crumlin headquarters, resulting in 260,000 square feet of space which includes facilities for manufacturing, dispensing, labelling, packing, despatch, cold room facilities and a storage capacity of 1 million kits.

Randox's range of reagents is extensive and covers many different techniques such as colorimetric, UV and immunoturbidimetric methods. As a result of heavy investment in R&D, Randox's portfolio has grown to provide a wider variety of reagents.

Randox has become a leading specialist in developing dedicated reagents to work on competitor systems, including Dimension and Hitachi.

Environmental

Randox has demonstrated its commitment towards the environment through the implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS), Sustainability Policy and Environmental Policy. These policies recognise that Randox can directly and indirectly impact on the environment through its activities, products and services and outlines the company’s commitment toward environmental protection, corporate social responsibility and compliance with environmental legislation.

Randox EMS has been developed to identify all aspects associated with its business operations that can interact with the environment and potentially result in environmental impacts. With several sites in close proximity to Lough Neagh, Randox have carried out numerous projects to enhance the local environment. Lough Neagh is internationally recognised as an important area for wildlife. The Lough is designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) as it provides an important habitat for breeding, over-wintering and migrating birds. The area’s wetlands are also of international importance designated under the RAMSAR convention. To support and improve biodiversity Randox have set areas aside for wild bird cover and rough grass margins, planted in excess of 95,000 native broadleaf and native fruit orchards as well as various pollen and nectar mixes. All of these changes have resulted in increased flora and fauna biodiversity, confirmed by nesting bird surveys carried out by the RSPB and Farmer Alliance volunteers.

Biochip array technology

Randox developed the world's first biochip array technology (BAT) in 2002. BAT is a multi-analyte testing platform which allows simultaneous quantitative or qualitative detection of a wide range of analytes from a single patient sample. It screens biological samples in a rapid, accurate and easy-to-use format.

BAT provides clinicians with as much patient information as possible, is faster and more efficient than traditional methods and ultimately results in better clinical decisions. £180 million was invested in research and development of BAT.

With the development of the biochip, analysers were created to handle the biochip in a high throughput routine laboratory. The analyser range expanded from the evidence, to include the evidence evolution, evidence investigator and evidence multistat.

Clinical chemistry analysers

As well as producing 5% of the world's clinical chemistry products, the Randox range of clinical chemistry analysers, the RX Series, accommodates low- to high-throughput laboratories. The RX monza, RX daytona, RX daytona plus, RX imola, RX monaco and RX suzuka attempt to consolidate a laboratory's requirements onto one platform. The throughput of the range varies, with the RX monza having the capability of up to 10,000 tests per year and the RX suzuka having up to 1,000,000 tests per year.

Quality control

Randox is the 3rd largest manufacturer of Quality Controls and Calibrators in the world. They specialise in third party controls that combine lots of analytes in a single control with the aim of consolidation. Covering over 390 parameters the Acusera branded portfolio of QC supplies 60,000 customers worldwide with QC material. Principle control products include Clinical Chemistry, Immunoassay, Urine, Cardiac and many more as well numerous other research based areas.

Acusera 24.7 Live Online is an inter-laboratory data management programme, with the purpose of supporting the Acusera range of controls.

RIQAS

Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme (RIQAS) is the external quality assessment (EQA) scheme supplied by Randox. RIQAS is the largest international EQA scheme with more than 35,000 laboratory participants in over 123 countries. There are currently 32 programmes available spanning most areas of clinical testing.

The large number of participants using RIQAS ensures an extensive database for many analytical methods directly increasing statistical validity as a result. RIQAS helps maintain and improve analytical quality; improve inter-laboratory agreement; detect reagent and equipment problems; and compares different analytical methods. RIQAS is also ISO 13485 and UKAS accredited.

Reagents

Randox offer more than 100 clinical biochemistry tests, covering testing panels such as antioxidants, basic and comprehensive metabolic profiles, cardiac, coagulation, diabetes, drugs of abuse testing, hepatic function, lipids, renal function, specific proteins, therapeutic drug monitoring and veterinary.

Furthermore, Randox re-invest significantly in research and development to develop unique tests such as sLDL, Lipoprotein(a), H-FABP, Cystatin C, TxBCardio, Adiponectin, Bile Acids, Copper, D-3- Hydroxybutyrate, G-6-PDH, Non-Esterified Fatty Acids, Total Antioxidant Status and Zinc.