Antibody test system designed, developed and manufactured in Liverpool city region plays vital role in combating Mpox outbreak in Rwanda. Tony McDonough reports
Wirral biotech venture Medtechtomarket has played a vital role in combating an outbreak of the Mpox disease in Rwanda.
Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, causing fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a painful rash that scabs over, typically lasting two to four weeks.
In 2025 Rwanda suffered a major outbreak of the disease. This prompted a swift response including targeted vaccination campaigns in high-risk border districts, enhanced surveillance, and new diagnostic tools to manage the outbreak.
Medtechtomarket, based in Bromborough, played a key role in helping to contain the spread of the disease. It has designed, developed and manufactured a high-performing mpox antibody test system.
In collaboration with the University of Birmingham Clinical Immunology Service, Medtechtomarket undertook the full lifecycle responsibility for the multiplex IgG ELISA assay – from optimisation and validation through to kit assembly and international shipment.
These test kits were produced within the company’s UK facility and supplied directly to Rwanda to enable in-country validation at the National Reference Laboratory in Kigali.
A successful validation study, led by researchers from the University of Birmingham in partnership with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre and the University of Rwanda, has now been published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
This represents the first time a multiplex IgG ELISA has been validated within an African setting during an active clade 1b outbreak, signalling a major milestone for global health security.
It also demonstrates the successful translation of immunological research into a deployable diagnostic system under real-world outbreak conditions.
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Medtechtomarket founder, Matt Pearce, outlined the importance of the partnership to bridge the gap between theory and implementation, applying the scientific insights to real-world scenarios.
“Real impact in infectious disease control is only possible through partnership – combining scientific discovery with the industrial expertise needed for deployment,” he said.
“We are proud to translate research into robust diagnostic systems developed and manufactured here in Liverpool city region to support global outbreak response.”