Delivering Actionable Results at the Point-of-Decision
CENOS™ is a rapid molecular detection platform designed to support early clinical assessment and surveillance workflows at the Point-of-Decision.
The platform comprises of the CENOS analyser, a portable real-time PCR instrument and the proprietary XF Reagent System. Together they are capable of amplifying and detecting nucleic acids directly from crude samples — including saliva, nasal swabs, and whole blood — with no prior extraction in under 30 minutes.
The analyser integrates a solid-state Peltier module for rapid thermal cycling, delivering precise, repeatable temperature transitions across denaturation, annealing, and extension phases. A high-stability optical engine with dual-channel fluorescence detection enables simultaneous monitoring of multiple genetic targets, with onboard calibration and reference control.
Reactions are run in a high surface area-to-volume polymer vessel, designed to maximise thermal transfer and minimise reagent cost. Once loaded, the analyser automates all functions: thermal control, fluorescence acquisition, signal processing, and result display — with no external cooling, calibration, or network connectivity required. Traffic light output for non-expert users.
Designed for decentralised environments, the analyser is lightweight, rugged, and power-flexible (battery, solar, vehicle or generator). Its modular architecture supports rapid integration of new targets through a validated assay development pipeline, enabling timely deployment in both routine and emergency settings.
ENGINEERED ANALYSER TECHNOLOGY
- Integrated solid-state Peltier thermal cycling for rapid and precise RT-qPCR.
- Dual-channel fluorescence optics for multiplex nucleic acid detection.
- High surface area-to-volume polymer vessel enables fast heat transfer and low reagent volume.
- Fully automated operation: temperature control, signal acquisition, and onboard result display.
- No need for calibration, cold chain, or internet access.
DESIGNED FOR DECENTRALISED MOLECULAR CAPABILITY
- Detects targets directly from crude samples (e.g. saliva, swabs, blood) with no extraction.
- Compact and rugged: deployable in mobile units, clinics, or off-grid locations.
- Power-flexible: operates on battery, solar, or mains.
- Modular software and assay architecture supports rapid target onboarding.
- Enables fast, decentralised molecular testing at the Point of Decision
RAPID REAL-TIME PCR IN UNDER 30 MINUTES
APT® redefines how and where critical clinical decisions happen.
In outbreaks, emergencies, or remote settings, delays in detection cost lives and accelerate disease spread. At Patient Testing® (APT®) helps to eliminates those delays—bringing gold-standard real-time PCR directly to the focal point of infection, whether that’s a clinic, a frontline unit, or a veterinary checkpoint.
Powered by the CENOS™ platform, APT® enables high-sensitivity testing from crude biological samples, with no need for lab personnel, infrastructure, or nucleic acid extraction. Results are delivered in under 30 minutes, empowering immediate action—while the subject (human or animal) remains on-site.
APT® is more than diagnostic innovation—it’s a strategic response tool that supports early containment, reduces pressure on central labs, and strengthens surveillance at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health.
CENOS™ delivers high-performance real-time PCR at a fraction of the Full Economic Cost (FEC) of traditional lab-based testing. FEC includes all direct and indirect costs linked to testing - not just reagents or devices. This covers materials, labour, equipment, infrastructure, delays or errors in results, hospital stays, and broader impacts like nosocomial infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
CENOS™ drastically reduces the true cost per test by eliminating the need for complex cartridges, extraction kits & processes, lab personnel, and fixed infrastructure. By shortening the time to result, minimising logistical, infrastructure and process requirements, CENOS™ helps healthcare systems avoid these downstream costs—delivering true value at the Point-Of-Decision.
The cost-effectiveness of CENOS™ enables the provision of gold-standard molecular testing that is globally accessible even in in low-resource settings, where delays in diagnosis drive higher treatment costs and poorer health outcomes. Its simplicity makes it ideal for LMICs, field clinics, and frontline veterinary or human health use.
CENOS™ is compact (236mm L x 173mm W x 197mm D) and lightweight, weighing just 2.76kg - making it truly portable and ready for rapid deployment into almost any setting, from central labs to in-field or off-grid environments.
This portability is critical for outbreak response, surveillance, and the containment of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs), especially in decentralised or resource-limited regions. CENOS™ has the capability to be rapidly and precisely deployed exactly where testing efforts are required.
Power-flexible by design, CENOS™ can operate using an array for power sources including solar panels, power banks, vehicle batteries, or portable generators—making it ideal for mobile units or emergency scenarios.
For users requiring added protection and mobility, an IP67-rated hardcase with precision-cut high-density foam inserts is available for secure transport and storage.
By design, CENOS™ was engineered to be simple, intuitive, and accessible—specifically for health professionals outside of traditional laboratory environments.
There are no complex protocols, specialised equipment, or lab facilities required. The user simply adds the crude sample and resuspension buffer to the lyophilised reagents, initiating a fully integrated real-time PCR workflow. This streamlined process minimises contamination risk and user error, reduces turnaround time, lowers Full Economic Cost (FEC) and enables operational scalability without specialist labour.
CENOS™ strengthens decentralised testing capabilities - wherever rapid, reliable diagnostics are needed most.
The CENOS™ platform includes an onboard system capable of running the complete testing process autonomously. The integrated touchscreen interface displays results using an intuitive traffic-light output—‘Positive’, ‘Negative’, or ‘Repeat’—based on preprogrammed interpretation algorithms.
- No specialist user input or interpretation is required
- The Positive Control is used internally to confirm the test has completed as required.
- All test data, including result outputs, system performance, and any instrument alarms, are automatically stored—enabling full traceability and validation
This makes CENOS™ ideal for use by trained non-expert personnel in decentralised or field environments, ensuring results are delivered clearly, securely, and quickly.
For advanced users, the system can be connected to THEIA—CENOS™'s Windows-based Graphical User Interface (GUI).
- THEIA allows expert users to review full datasets, including amplification curves, fluorescence outputs, and instrument performance logs
- Enables deep analysis, validation, and audit for regulatory, research, or development purposes
- All data remains exportable for external reporting or integration into LIMS systems
Together, the dual-mode architecture of CENOS™ balances simplicity and sophistication— making it equally suited for both rapid frontline deployment and in-depth expert analysis applications.
CENOS uses a novel and propriety Xtraction Free (XF) Reagent System to perform RT-qPCR detection direct from crude samples. There is no time consuming nucleic extraction or purification processes. Users simply add the unprocessed biological sample directly into the biosecure reaction vessel to perform the closed tube reaction. Biological sample input types include whole blood, serum, plasma, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, cloacal and nasopharyngeal swabs. Internal positive controls based on Armoured RNA provide complete confidence in results.
CENOS is capable of performing multiplex RT-qPCR which includes integrated internal controls for validation of results. The platform uses a sensitive bicolour optical detection system to simultaneously detect and differentiate between multiple target pathogens in a single test. Multiplex detection is used to support differential diagnostics distinguishing a particular disease from others that present similar clinical symptoms. Multiplex panels can be configured in accordance with defined user requirements (e.g. respiratory, blood borne and Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers) complete with internal controls.
CENOS delivers sensitive “gold standard” RT-qPCR that meets LLOD laboratory reference tests enabling the early detection (low viral load) of subclinical, asymptomatic and non-symptomatic cases. This provides actionable results and data to support informed clinical decision making relating to triaging, containment, treatment, surveillance activities and pandemic preparedness. Patients can be isolated and treated prior to becoming infectious; this in turn will help prevent the spread and detrimental effects of High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCIDs).
Our proprietary reagents are supplied lyophilised ready to use in our dedicated consumable. They are cold-chain free and stable at ambient temperatures eliminating the need for cold storage facilities and simplifying logistics in remote regions. Aptamer-controlled hot-start functionality ensures reactions can be set-up at up to 35°C with no adverse effect on performance or sensitivity. This means testing efforts can be carried out in-field in almost any geographical location from Europe to warmer climates such as Africa, South America and Southern Asia.
CENOS is an open platform that allows for rapid assay design, validation and delivery at scale. Our robust bioinformatics pipeline streamlines the creation of new diagnostic assays and modification of existing ones for use with the CENOS platform. Development to validation in accordance with ISO 13485 standards is 6-8 weeks. This allows high sensitivity diagnostic assays to be rapidly configured, optimised and deployed in response to new or emerging pathogens or variants including Virus X. The CENOS platform offers a complete plug-and-play solution for outbreak response and pandemic preparedness.