Whether you are an SME, academic, clinician, or industry partner, we invite you to join our Community of Practice and collaborate with us as we build a more connected, innovative, and impactful diagnostics ecosystem. We look forward to working with you in 2026. Together, we are shaping the future of diagnostics across the UK.
As we reflect on the past year, it is remarkable to see how far the Centre for Advanced Diagnostic Development and Application (CADDA) has come. Our mission to accelerate human and animal diagnostics through coordinated development, knowledge exchange, and collaborative innovation has resonated strongly across the UK. Thanks to the enthusiasm and commitment of our community, CADDA has grown into a vibrant national network shaping the future of diagnostics.
In just twelve months, our Community of Practice has expanded to more than 250 members, alongside over 550 LinkedIn followers, representing SMEs, academics, clinicians, and industry leaders. This growing community has played an essential role in sharing insights, best practice, and forward-looking perspectives through our website and events. We are grateful to all who have engaged with us, contributed expertise, and helped build momentum around diagnostics development in the UK.
A Growing Platform for Insight and Knowledge Exchange
Our website has quickly become a lively hub for thought leadership across the diagnostics ecosystem, with new articles offering practical, actionable guidance for innovators at every stage. Recent features explore how early-stage companies can navigate funding gaps, demonstrate value, and validate their technologies effectively which are key steps in strengthening investment readiness.
Alongside funding insights, more of Kent Business Schools academic experts are sharing guidance on market pathways, and opportunities to improve operations.
Our business school experts are available for collaborations and to apply for future rounds of CADDA Knowledge Transfer Vouchers (CKTVs), so get in touch if any of their expertise is relevant to your business.
Showcasing Impact: CADDA-Supported Projects
We are also proud to highlight several exemplar projects already taking shape within the CADDA portfolio.
One such initiative focuses on improving food safety and marine health. In collaboration with the Whitstable Oyster Company and Southern Water, CADDA is supporting a University of Kent project that monitors norovirus in commercially grown oysters. Using a rapid qPCR-based diagnostic method, oyster batches are screened within 24 hours an important step in safeguarding consumers and strengthening environmental monitoring. The dataset generated is also being used to explore correlations between viral presence, wastewater discharge, rainfall patterns, and community illness demonstrating the power of diagnostics beyond clinical settings.
Another emerging project addresses an important yet often overlooked aspect of men’s health which is sperm DNA fragmentation testing. Male infertility contributes to nearly half of conception challenges, yet traditional testing methods tell only part of the story. University of Kent researchers have developed a commercial DNA fragmentation assay that provides deeper clinical insight, supported initially by Eastern Arc and CADDA funding. Now based at Fitzrovia Hospital, the service has analysed over 1,000 samples, with all revenue reinvested into ongoing research and diagnostic innovation.
It has been a privilege to meet and grow our community this year. CADDA has had a strong presence at major national events, including Diagnostics North East Annual Conference, SEHTA, and the Innovation in MedTech and Diagnostics Conference London 2025, among many others. We were also delighted to host Diagnostics Café sessions at Discovery Park (Sandwich) and Grainger Hub (Newcastle), bringing together diverse perspectives from across the diagnostics sector.