Proxima Blood Testing Device Gets UK Approval for Home Use

Portable Blood Testing Device Achieves UK Regulatory Approval

Algocyte, a spinout from King's College London, has launched Proxima, a portable blood testing device that has achieved UKCA regulatory marking, signaling compliance with health, safety, and environmental protection standards in the UK1

1

. The device was officially unveiled at the Royal Society of Medicine in London on 29 June, following its regulatory milestone1

1

. Algocyte also operates under ISO 13485 certification for its medical-device quality system, demonstrating that formal design and manufacturing processes are in place2

2

.

How the Technology Works

Proxima is an ultra-portable hematology analyzer built to process small blood samples collected through minimally invasive methods such as finger pricking1

1

. The device connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone app that controls the testing process1

1

. Instead of sending samples to a laboratory, sensors within the device measure properties of the blood sample, and AI algorithms analyze these signals to generate blood test results in about 20 minutes2

2

. The device can measure markers used in a partial or full blood count, including red and white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin2

2

. Two sensing systems capture information from the sample, then AI converts those signals into biological measurements that can be shared digitally with doctors and patients on the spot1

1

.

Target Applications and Patient Benefits

The tool could be especially beneficial for patients who require regular monitoring, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or taking medicines like clozapine, which require close monitoring of blood cell levels due to potential side effects or complications1

1

. These patients currently rely on frequent hospital or GP visits for blood tests, which the device could help reduce1

1

. While most blood tests provide only a snapshot of a person's health at a single moment in time, this technology helps identify small changes in an individual's health over time1

1

. The results are sent to a clinician dashboard rather than presented as a diagnosis for patients to interpret alone, with Algocyte initially targeting supervised use by healthcare workers2

2

. Home monitoring is positioned as a longer-term goal2

2

.

Potential Impact on Healthcare Systems

The technology could free up resources for the NHS, with millions of blood tests carried out in the UK every year to help doctors diagnose disease, monitor treatments and assess overall health1

1

. Dr. Hector Zenil, founder and CEO of Algocyte and Associate Professor in Healthcare Engineering at King's College London, stated that the achievement demonstrates how academia and industry can work together to deliver meaningful social impact, with academia advancing fundamental research into health, disease, and the application of AI to cell and molecular biology, while industry translates these advances into scalable technologies1

1

. Bringing together expertise in artificial intelligence, bioengineering, computational biology and clinical medicine, Algocyte exemplifies how interdisciplinary research from King's is being translated into technologies that could address real healthcare challenges1

1

.

What Comes Next

Proxima is now progressing through further testing and evaluation in commercial deployment1

1

. Algocyte is continuing to gather scientific evidence and complete further regulatory steps as it works towards making the technology available more widely in different settings and for predictive purposes1

1

. The clearest next step is public performance data comparing Proxima with established reference analyzers across every claimed marker, with evidence showing how often tests fail or need to be repeated2

2

. Real-world use will matter just as much, as finger-prick collection can vary, and a device intended for home monitoring has to remain dependable when samples aren't handled by laboratory staff2

2

. Watch for published clinical evidence that doctors and patients can examine to verify the device's accuracy against conventional laboratory equipment2

2

.