KIFFIK Biomedical partners with Duracell & Rubix

Use Case: Women's Health

Powering the Future of Diagnostics

PHTA’s first resident, KIFFIK Biomedical, is changing the diagnostics landscape with a needle-free, interstitial fluid (ISF)-based diagnostic platform, the KIFFIK Lab™ – offering fast, accurate, and at-home disease detection. Now, through strategic partnerships with Duracell and Rubix, KIFFIK is accelerating the next generation of biomarker-driven diagnostics. These collaborations, supported by the PHTA ecosystem, are not just advancing cancer screening but also opening doors for broader industry innovation.

"At KIFFIK, we believe that the future of diagnostics lies in harnessing the rich biomarker profile of interstitial fluid. I was attracted to the concept behind PHTA by Professor Michael Lewis and his enthusiasm for the area. The Midlands offers untapped resources and a large and growing pool of healthcare technology companies to collaborate with. Our partnerships with Duracell and Rubix are critical steps in bringing more accessible and effective disease detection solutions to market, transforming how we screen for conditions like colorectal cancer."

Les Lindsay

President EMEA, KIFFIK Biomedical Europe

Duracell & KIFFIK: Powering Continuous Biomonitoring

Medical wearables like KIFFIK’s ISF diagnostic device demand reliable, long-lasting power solutions, a key challenge in continuous health monitoring where suboptimal battery life can limit usability on real-world settings.

By partnering with industry leaders Duracell, KIFFIK has secured a consistent, durable energy source which in turn allows more patient-friendly, long-term use. This partnership opens doors for collaboration on battery-powered medical technology, advancing telehealth and precision medicine.

KIFFIK & Rubix: advancing colorectal cancer screening with ISF and aptamer technology

While early detection is a powerful tool in the fight against colorectal cancer (CRC), screening remains underutilised due to invasive tests and the stigma surrounding stool-based exams. KIFFIK’s partnership with Rubix is set to disrupt this space with a rapid, non-invasive CRC test that combines KIFFIK’s ISF-based biomarker collection method with Rubix’s advanced aptamer technology.

This powerful combination allows for highly sensitive, early-stage detection of colorectal cancer through a simple, painless process that is both accurate and user friendly:

The KIFFIK Lab is simple, fast, and can be used at home, at a lab or in a clinician’s office, improving screening rates and enabling early intervention. KIFFIK Biomedical’s Duracell and Rubix partnerships mark a major step in powering medical innovation and advancing early cancer detection. As ISF biomarkers redefine diagnostics, these collaborations set new standards for accuracy, accessibility, and patient convenience. For companies, researchers, and health-tech leaders looking to collaborate on next-generation diagnostics, PHTA provides the perfect ecosystem.

KIFFIK collaboration with PHTA & the University of Birmingham

PHTA is the University of Birmingham’s signature health and life sciences research facility – providing 70,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art laboratory, incubation and collaboration space – and is home to the University’s Clinical Immunology Service and the PHTA Industry Trials Hub. Alongside these anchor residents, PHTA brings entrepreneurs, start-ups and scale-ups together with the next generation of academic and clinical leaders, creating unique opportunities to commercialize ideas and accelerate the rapid development of cutting-edge therapies and technologies. Partnering with PHTA provides additional opportunities for further collaborations with other PHTA companies and with University of Birmingham researchers, with KIFFIK being particularly excited to be working with Professor Andrew Beggs to further validate specific biomarkers related to the earlier detection of cancers. KIFFIK also hopes to open new opportunities for collaboration with fellow PHTA residents in diagnostics, biomarker development, and precision oncology in the future.

“What PHTA offers to industry goes far beyond providing lab space, and this is demonstrated through our relationship with KIFFIK. We act as a convener, bringing businesses together with expert clinical academics in key areas such as clinical trials, health data, multi-omics analysis and diagnostic device evaluation and testing to ensure that innovations address real unmet clinical needs and deliver transformative benefits for patients."

"By basing their UK operations at PHTA, KIFFIK is already benefiting from collaborations with academic leaders including Andrew Beggs, Professor of Cancer Genetics and Surgery and Deputy Director of the Birmingham Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, whose expertise in cancer genomics, nanopore and single-cell sequencing and tumour DNA is helping to unlock the vast potential of KIFFIK’s technology."

Professor Gino Martini

CEO, PHTA

Beyond CRC: the expanding potential of ISF diagnostics

KIFFIK’s biomarker-rich ISF platform is set to transform disease detection beyond cancer, including cardiometabolic disease and neurocognitive disease. ISF represents the next frontier of personalised medicine. Through collaborations, ISF science can be developed for broader healthcare applications.

To explore partnership opportunities or learn more about KIFFIK Biomedical’s work in ISF diagnostics, contact PHTA today.

Let’s revolutionize early disease detection together.

Use Case: Military & PolyTrauma

Field-ready diagnostics for
high-consequence decisions.

The challenge.

In military and trauma settings, rapid diagnosis can mean the difference between life and loss. Yet current tools often require centralized labs, invasive procedures, or lag-time results — none of which are ideal in field, combat, or mass casualty environments.

The opportunity.

KIFFIK’s non-invasive ISF platform could deliver real-time biomarker data directly at the point of injury — enabling rapid triage, injury stratification, and early detection of complications like internal bleeding, systemic inflammation, or infection. Designed for portability and ease of use, the platform can support frontline teams with fast, actionable insight.

Clinical application:

Triage of blast injuries, blunt trauma, and polytrauma
Early detection of inflammatory cascade and internal bleeding
Remote deployment in field hospitals, medevac, or battlefield medicine

Potential biomoarkers:

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
S100B (neurotrauma indicator)
Lactate (tissue hypoxia)
D-dimer (coagulation dysfunction)
Myoglobin (muscle damage)
TNF-α (systemic inflammation)

When every second counts, insight can’t wait for the hospital. KIFFIK’s platform is designed to move with the mission — delivering data where it’s needed most.

Use Case: Prostate Cancer

Powering the Future of Diagnostics

PHTA’s first resident, KIFFIK Biomedical, is changing the diagnostics landscape with a needle-free, interstitial fluid (ISF)-based diagnostic platform, the KIFFIK Lab™ – offering fast, accurate, and at-home disease detection. Now, through strategic partnerships with Duracell and Rubix, KIFFIK is accelerating the next generation of biomarker-driven diagnostics. These collaborations, supported by the PHTA ecosystem, are not just advancing cancer screening but also opening doors for broader industry innovation.

"At KIFFIK, we believe that the future of diagnostics lies in harnessing the rich biomarker profile of interstitial fluid. I was attracted to the concept behind PHTA by Professor Michael Lewis and his enthusiasm for the area. The Midlands offers untapped resources and a large and growing pool of healthcare technology companies to collaborate with. Our partnerships with Duracell and Rubix are critical steps in bringing more accessible and effective disease detection solutions to market, transforming how we screen for conditions like colorectal cancer."

Les Lindsay

President EMEA, KIFFIK Biomedical Europe

Duracell & KIFFIK: Powering Continuous Biomonitoring

Medical wearables like KIFFIK’s ISF diagnostic device demand reliable, long-lasting power solutions, a key challenge in continuous health monitoring where suboptimal battery life can limit usability on real-world settings.

By partnering with industry leaders Duracell, KIFFIK has secured a consistent, durable energy source which in turn allows more patient-friendly, long-term use. This partnership opens doors for collaboration on battery-powered medical technology, advancing telehealth and precision medicine.

KIFFIK & Rubix: advancing colorectal cancer screening with ISF and aptamer technology

While early detection is a powerful tool in the fight against colorectal cancer (CRC), screening remains underutilised due to invasive tests and the stigma surrounding stool-based exams. KIFFIK’s partnership with Rubix is set to disrupt this space with a rapid, non-invasive CRC test that combines KIFFIK’s ISF-based biomarker collection method with Rubix’s advanced aptamer technology.

This powerful combination allows for highly sensitive, early-stage detection of colorectal cancer through a simple, painless process that is both accurate and user friendly:

The KIFFIK Lab is simple, fast, and can be used at home, at a lab or in a clinician’s office, improving screening rates and enabling early intervention. KIFFIK Biomedical’s Duracell and Rubix partnerships mark a major step in powering medical innovation and advancing early cancer detection. As ISF biomarkers redefine diagnostics, these collaborations set new standards for accuracy, accessibility, and patient convenience. For companies, researchers, and health-tech leaders looking to collaborate on next-generation diagnostics, PHTA provides the perfect ecosystem.

KIFFIK collaboration with PHTA & the University of Birmingham

PHTA is the University of Birmingham’s signature health and life sciences research facility – providing 70,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art laboratory, incubation and collaboration space – and is home to the University’s Clinical Immunology Service and the PHTA Industry Trials Hub. Alongside these anchor residents, PHTA brings entrepreneurs, start-ups and scale-ups together with the next generation of academic and clinical leaders, creating unique opportunities to commercialize ideas and accelerate the rapid development of cutting-edge therapies and technologies. Partnering with PHTA provides additional opportunities for further collaborations with other PHTA companies and with University of Birmingham researchers, with KIFFIK being particularly excited to be working with Professor Andrew Beggs to further validate specific biomarkers related to the earlier detection of cancers. KIFFIK also hopes to open new opportunities for collaboration with fellow PHTA residents in diagnostics, biomarker development, and precision oncology in the future.

“What PHTA offers to industry goes far beyond providing lab space, and this is demonstrated through our relationship with KIFFIK. We act as a convener, bringing businesses together with expert clinical academics in key areas such as clinical trials, health data, multi-omics analysis and diagnostic device evaluation and testing to ensure that innovations address real unmet clinical needs and deliver transformative benefits for patients."

"By basing their UK operations at PHTA, KIFFIK is already benefiting from collaborations with academic leaders including Andrew Beggs, Professor of Cancer Genetics and Surgery and Deputy Director of the Birmingham Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, whose expertise in cancer genomics, nanopore and single-cell sequencing and tumour DNA is helping to unlock the vast potential of KIFFIK’s technology."

Professor Gino Martini

CEO, PHTA

Beyond CRC: the expanding potential of ISF diagnostics

KIFFIK’s biomarker-rich ISF platform is set to transform disease detection beyond cancer, including cardiometabolic disease and neurocognitive disease. ISF represents the next frontier of personalised medicine. Through collaborations, ISF science can be developed for broader healthcare applications.

To explore partnership opportunities or learn more about KIFFIK Biomedical’s work in ISF diagnostics, contact PHTA today.

Let’s revolutionize early disease detection together.

ISF Research & Biomarker Discovery

Powering the Future of Diagnostics

PHTA’s first resident, KIFFIK Biomedical, is changing the diagnostics landscape with a needle-free, interstitial fluid (ISF)-based diagnostic platform, the KIFFIK Lab™ – offering fast, accurate, and at-home disease detection. Now, through strategic partnerships with Duracell and Rubix, KIFFIK is accelerating the next generation of biomarker-driven diagnostics. These collaborations, supported by the PHTA ecosystem, are not just advancing cancer screening but also opening doors for broader industry innovation.

"At KIFFIK, we believe that the future of diagnostics lies in harnessing the rich biomarker profile of interstitial fluid. I was attracted to the concept behind PHTA by Professor Michael Lewis and his enthusiasm for the area. The Midlands offers untapped resources and a large and growing pool of healthcare technology companies to collaborate with. Our partnerships with Duracell and Rubix are critical steps in bringing more accessible and effective disease detection solutions to market, transforming how we screen for conditions like colorectal cancer."

Les Lindsay

President EMEA, KIFFIK Biomedical Europe

Duracell & KIFFIK: Powering Continuous Biomonitoring

Medical wearables like KIFFIK’s ISF diagnostic device demand reliable, long-lasting power solutions, a key challenge in continuous health monitoring where suboptimal battery life can limit usability on real-world settings.

By partnering with industry leaders Duracell, KIFFIK has secured a consistent, durable energy source which in turn allows more patient-friendly, long-term use. This partnership opens doors for collaboration on battery-powered medical technology, advancing telehealth and precision medicine.

KIFFIK & Rubix: advancing colorectal cancer screening with ISF and aptamer technology

While early detection is a powerful tool in the fight against colorectal cancer (CRC), screening remains underutilised due to invasive tests and the stigma surrounding stool-based exams. KIFFIK’s partnership with Rubix is set to disrupt this space with a rapid, non-invasive CRC test that combines KIFFIK’s ISF-based biomarker collection method with Rubix’s advanced aptamer technology.

This powerful combination allows for highly sensitive, early-stage detection of colorectal cancer through a simple, painless process that is both accurate and user friendly:

The KIFFIK Lab is simple, fast, and can be used at home, at a lab or in a clinician’s office, improving screening rates and enabling early intervention. KIFFIK Biomedical’s Duracell and Rubix partnerships mark a major step in powering medical innovation and advancing early cancer detection. As ISF biomarkers redefine diagnostics, these collaborations set new standards for accuracy, accessibility, and patient convenience. For companies, researchers, and health-tech leaders looking to collaborate on next-generation diagnostics, PHTA provides the perfect ecosystem.

KIFFIK collaboration with PHTA & the University of Birmingham

PHTA is the University of Birmingham’s signature health and life sciences research facility – providing 70,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art laboratory, incubation and collaboration space – and is home to the University’s Clinical Immunology Service and the PHTA Industry Trials Hub. Alongside these anchor residents, PHTA brings entrepreneurs, start-ups and scale-ups together with the next generation of academic and clinical leaders, creating unique opportunities to commercialize ideas and accelerate the rapid development of cutting-edge therapies and technologies. Partnering with PHTA provides additional opportunities for further collaborations with other PHTA companies and with University of Birmingham researchers, with KIFFIK being particularly excited to be working with Professor Andrew Beggs to further validate specific biomarkers related to the earlier detection of cancers. KIFFIK also hopes to open new opportunities for collaboration with fellow PHTA residents in diagnostics, biomarker development, and precision oncology in the future.

“What PHTA offers to industry goes far beyond providing lab space, and this is demonstrated through our relationship with KIFFIK. We act as a convener, bringing businesses together with expert clinical academics in key areas such as clinical trials, health data, multi-omics analysis and diagnostic device evaluation and testing to ensure that innovations address real unmet clinical needs and deliver transformative benefits for patients."

"By basing their UK operations at PHTA, KIFFIK is already benefiting from collaborations with academic leaders including Andrew Beggs, Professor of Cancer Genetics and Surgery and Deputy Director of the Birmingham Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, whose expertise in cancer genomics, nanopore and single-cell sequencing and tumour DNA is helping to unlock the vast potential of KIFFIK’s technology."

Professor Gino Martini

CEO, PHTA

Beyond CRC: the expanding potential of ISF diagnostics

KIFFIK’s biomarker-rich ISF platform is set to transform disease detection beyond cancer, including cardiometabolic disease and neurocognitive disease. ISF represents the next frontier of personalised medicine. Through collaborations, ISF science can be developed for broader healthcare applications.

To explore partnership opportunities or learn more about KIFFIK Biomedical’s work in ISF diagnostics, contact PHTA today.

Let’s revolutionize early disease detection together.

Use Case: Sepsis

Catching the cascade
before it crashes the system.

The challenge.

Sepsis progresses rapidly and often invisibly in its early stages. Current diagnostic tools rely on lagging indicators or generalized clinical signs, leaving critical intervention windows missed.

The opportunity.

KIFFIK’s platform offers the potential to detect sepsis-associated biomarkers in ISF at the earliest stages of dysregulation. This enables real-time insight into immune response and systemic inflammation — allowing for faster, more targeted intervention when it’s most needed.

Clinical application:

Emergency departments
ICUs and high-risk inpatient settings
Resource-limited environments and field hospitals

Potential biomoarkers:

Procalcitonin (PCT)
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha)
Lactate

When sepsis moves fast, we have to move faster. KIFFIK’s platform could help detect the warning signs before symptoms spiral.

Use Case: Skin Health

Turning the surface into
a source of insight.

The challenge.

Skin is the body’s largest organ — and one of the most visible — yet its health is often assessed only through surface observation or delayed biopsies. Whether in dermatology clinics or personal care, there’s limited access to underlying biological signals that reveal what’s really happening beneath the surface.

The opportunity.

By accessing biomarkers directly from interstitial fluid within the skin, KIFFIK’s platform may unlock real-time, molecular-level insight into inflammation, immune activity, and cellular stress. This supports both clinical care and proactive skin wellness — from chronic disease management to personalized skincare.

Clinical application:

Dermatology: Non-invasive assessment of skin inflammation, disease flares (e.g., eczema, psoriasis), and potentially early indicators of melanoma or other skin cancers
Beauty & Wellness: Real-time monitoring of skin barrier integrity, hydration, oxidative stress, and treatment response for personalized skincare routines

Potential biomoarkers:

Interleukin-1α (IL-1α)
Interleukin-8 (IL-8)
TNF-α
MMP-9 (Matrix metalloproteinase-9)
Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Natural moisturizing factor (NMF) markers

The skin is always speaking — through irritation, inflammation, and subtle shifts. With ISF, we can finally hear it clearly, and respond in real time.

Use Case: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Real-time insight into
invisible injuries

The challenge.

TBI often presents without visible symptoms, especially in early stages. Traditional tools like imaging and clinical exams can miss subtle, evolving changes — delaying care when time is critical.

The opportunity.

Through interstitial fluid, KIFFIK’s platform may enable early detection of TBI by capturing biomarker signals linked to inflammation, neurotrauma, and cellular stress. This could transform how we identify and manage brain injury — from emergency departments to military and athletic settings.

Clinical application:

Emergency medicine
Sports concussion protocols
Military and remote triage

Potential biomoarkers:

GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein)
UCH-L1 (Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1)
S100B
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Tau protein fragments

Early detection of brain injury doesn't have to wait for imaging. With ISF, it could happen in minutes — where it matters most.

Use Case: Colorectal Cancer

Early detection without delay
— or discomfort.

The challenge.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, yet screening rates remain low due to fear, discomfort, and the invasiveness of traditional tests. Many cases go undetected until advanced stages, when outcomes are poorer and costs are higher.

The opportunity.

KIFFIK Lab delivers a non-invasive, point-of-care test for colorectal cancer screening — offering a patient-friendly alternative to colonoscopy, blood draws, and stool-based tests. By accessing ISF biomarkers through the skin, our platform enables earlier insight, faster decision-making, and broader screening access.

Clinical application:

Routine screening in primary care and outpatient settings
Non-invasive option for screening-hesitant populations
Expanded access for underserved and remote communities

Potential biomoarkers:

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
Methylated DNA markers (e.g., SEPT9)
MMP-9 (Matrix metalloproteinase-9)
Interleukin-8 (IL-8)
Calprotectin (inflammatory marker)

Powering the Future of Diagnostics

Duracell & KIFFIK: Powering Continuous Biomonitoring

KIFFIK & Rubix: advancing colorectal cancer screening with ISF and aptamer technology

KIFFIK collaboration with PHTA & the University of Birmingham

Beyond CRC: the expanding potential of ISF diagnostics

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The challenge.

The opportunity.

Clinical application:

Potential biomoarkers:

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)

S100B (neurotrauma indicator)

Lactate (tissue hypoxia)

D-dimer (coagulation dysfunction)

Myoglobin (muscle damage)

TNF-α (systemic inflammation)

When every second counts, insight can’t wait for the hospital. KIFFIK’s platform is designed to move with the mission — delivering data where it’s needed most.

The challenge.

The opportunity.

Clinical application:

Potential biomoarkers:

Procalcitonin (PCT)

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)

TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha)

Lactate

When sepsis moves fast, we have to move faster. KIFFIK’s platform could help detect the warning signs before symptoms spiral.

The challenge.

The opportunity.

Clinical application:

Potential biomoarkers:

Interleukin-1α (IL-1α)

Interleukin-8 (IL-8)

TNF-α

MMP-9 (Matrix metalloproteinase-9)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Natural moisturizing factor (NMF) markers

The skin is always speaking — through irritation, inflammation, and subtle shifts. With ISF, we can finally hear it clearly, and respond in real time.

The challenge.

The opportunity.

Clinical application:

Potential biomoarkers:

GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein)

UCH-L1 (Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1)

S100B

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)

Tau protein fragments

Early detection of brain injury doesn't have to wait for imaging. With ISF, it could happen in minutes — where it matters most.

The challenge.

The opportunity.

Clinical application:

Potential biomoarkers:

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

Methylated DNA markers (e.g., SEPT9)

MMP-9 (Matrix metalloproteinase-9)

Interleukin-8 (IL-8)

Calprotectin (inflammatory marker)

Colorectal cancer can be prevented — if it's detected early. KIFFIK makes screening simpler, faster, and more human.