Faster, Greener, and More Cost-Effective Diagnostic Testing

With support from the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Academic-Industry Partnerships (AIP) Programme, Cardiff-based ImmunoServ has transformed its manufacturing process, cutting production costs by 30%, reducing its carbon footprint, and boosting expected revenue by over £200,000.

The company’s smarter, more sustainable way of working is not only driving innovation in diagnostics but also supporting local jobs and future collaborations.

The Company

ImmunoServ is a small but ambitious biotech business based in Cardiff. Its standout product—the Immuno-T^TM Laboratory Test Kit—is used by researchers and public health teams around the world to assess how well vaccines work and how populations respond to infection.

The Challenge

Until recently, ImmunoServ had to send key materials for its kits to India for a critical freeze-drying process, before shipping them back to Cardiff. This wasn’t just expensive—it came with risks such as delays at customs, a heavy environmental footprint from international air freight, and costs that ate into the company’s bottom line.

For a growing micro-business with limited resources, this setup wasn’t sustainable.

The Solution

With investment and technical guidance from Cardiff University, the team developed a way to carry out the freeze-drying process locally, at their Cardiff lab.

They made sure the new method matched the quality of the outsourced version—running rigorous checks to ensure reliable results in every batch. The success of this shift meant they could now control the full production cycle themselves, without compromising on performance.

The Results

Bringing production home has had a big impact:

• Reduced production costs: 30% lower production costs per kit—freeing up cash to invest back into the business.
• Increased revenue: £218,000 in expected new revenue over the next 12 months, backed by fresh commercial orders and funding.
• Improved carbon footprint: 2.93 tonnes of CO₂ saved per shipment—a huge step forward in reducing the company’s environmental impact.
• Protected roles: Three jobs safeguarded, with more stability and opportunity for the team.
• Faster time to impact: Improved R&D times and bigger partnerships across the Cardiff Capital Region, including new work on diagnostics for MS, cancer, and flu with leading research institutions.

This collaboration is a great example of how small businesses can scale smartly with the right support. By solving a local problem, ImmunoServ has strengthened its global offering—proving that innovation, impact, and sustainability can go hand in hand.