Abingdon Health Showcases Future of POCT: Genalyte Merlin Runs 26 Tests in 30 Minutes, Oasis Diagnostics Offers Non-Invasive Saliva Systems

August 23, 2026

Abingdon Health UK

Overview

Abingdon Health announced innovations in next-generation Point-of-Care Diagnostics (POCT), highlighting Genalyte’s Merlin instrument, which received FDA clearance for a TSH assay in 2024 and can now perform up to 26 tests in 30 minutes. The report also features advancements in sample preparation, such as Oasis Diagnostics’ non-invasive saliva systems. These technologies leverage microfluidic ‘lab-on-a-chip’ devices to perform multiple assays from a single drop of blood or saliva. Accelerated and more efficient POCT is crucial for rapid clinical decision-making and advancing personalized medicine.

In Depth

Key Findings

Abingdon Health has unveiled significant advancements in next-generation Point-of-Care Diagnostics (POCT). Notably, Genalyte’s Merlin instrument, following its 2024 FDA clearance for a TSH assay, is now capable of performing up to 26 distinct tests within a remarkable 30-minute timeframe, dramatically accelerating diagnostic workflows and efficiency.

Technical and Clinical Details

Central to these innovations are microfluidic ‘lab-on-a-chip’ devices. These miniaturized systems enable multiple biochemical assays to be conducted simultaneously from a single drop of blood or saliva, significantly reducing sample volume requirements and turnaround times compared to conventional laboratory analyses. Genalyte’s Merlin instrument facilitates rapid measurement of critical biomarkers like TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone), aiding in the swift diagnosis and management of endocrine disorders. Also featured are advancements in non-invasive sample preparation, such as Oasis Diagnostics’ systems for saliva, and smartphone-based lateral flow readers. These technologies minimize patient discomfort and expand diagnostic capabilities to a broader range of settings, including non-clinical environments.

Background and Industry Context

POCT plays a critical role in supporting clinical decision-making and optimizing therapeutic interventions by providing rapid diagnostic information across diverse healthcare settings—from hospital ICUs to remote clinics and even patients’ homes. In areas such as infectious disease diagnosis, chronic disease monitoring, and emergency medicine, swift results directly impact patient outcomes. Advances in microfluidics enable the miniaturization and automation of testing systems, facilitating the creation of user-friendly POCT devices operable by non-specialized personnel. This sector is poised for continued growth, driven by the progression of personalized medicine and the shift towards decentralized healthcare models.

Strategic Significance and Outlook

Abingdon Health’s vision for next-generation POCT aims to make diagnostic processes smarter, faster, and more accessible. The combination of high-throughput systems like the Merlin instrument and non-invasive sample collection technologies such as those from Oasis Diagnostics provides powerful tools for healthcare providers to manage patient care more effectively. In the future, deeper integration with AI and IoT could enable real-time data analysis and automated recommendations, accelerating the realization of preventive and precision medicine. This will streamline the diagnostic-to-treatment pathway and further advance patient-centric healthcare, ultimately improving global health outcomes.

Source: https://www.abingdonhealth.com/engineering-next-generation-poc-diagnostics/

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