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UK scientists develop DNA sequencing system to fight superbugs
Exclusive: Sequencing will help doctors identify bacteria that cause infections and offer effective treatments faster and more accurately
Andrew Gregory Health editor
Thu 6 Mar 2025 05.00 GMT
Scientists have developed a rapid DNA sequencing system to stem the rise of superbugs by identifying bacterial infections faster and more accurately.
Currently, hospital labs can take as long as seven days to specify bacterial infections, while for some infections a definitive diagnosis may take eight weeks.
In the meantime, doctors may have to give patients broad-spectrum antibiotics, which carry risks of side-effects and complications, may fail and prolong the illness, and can lead to antibiotic resistance and superbugs spreading across wards.
Now scientists have developed a solution. In a UK first, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Barts Health NHS trust in London have designed a DNA sequencing programme to diagnose bacterial infections much faster and more accurately.
It enables scientists to identify the specific type of bacteria and which antibiotics it might be resistant to, helping doctors give the patient the most effective treatment, instead of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
The pioneering system, successfully trialled in 2,000 NHS patients, is already helping doctors offer better-targeted treatments earlier. This means a much quicker recovery, fewer complications such as sepsis, and a lower risk of others picking up the infection and of superbugs emerging in wards.
The new method can reliably detect which bacteria are causing an infection and which antibiotics will work best to treat it. The approach delivers results within 48 hours, significantly faster than traditional methods.
Experts say the breakthrough paves the way for rapid DNA sequencing to become a routine part of hospital diagnostics across the NHS, bringing faster, more accurate testing to patients nationally.
Dr Chrysi Sergaki, head of microbiome at the MHRA, said rapid DNA sequencing was “crucial in the fight against superbugs”.
She added: “The pilot has demonstrated that this new technology is already making a real difference to patients’ lives. When someone comes into hospital with a serious infection, every hour counts.
“Instead of waiting days or even weeks to identify exactly what’s causing their infection, hospitals can now get answers within 48 hours. This means doctors can start the right treatment sooner, helping patients recover faster and get back home to their families.”
Ian Butler, lead clinical scientist in medical microbiology at Barts, said traditional diagnostics relied on growing bacteria in the lab from patient samples.
This can take a week or longer and “lacks sensitivity”, especially in patients already on broad-spectrum antibiotics for serious infections, such as sepsis or meningitis.
“Since the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can reduce the bacterial yield in a patient, these cultures often yield negative results, meaning bacteria fail to grow in the lab.
“This makes it difficult to obtain a definitive diagnosis, leaving patients on prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, which not only delays effective treatment but also increases the risk of antibiotic resistance.”
Rapid DNA sequencing, by contrast, can spot the specific infection in clinical samples even when bacteria have been damaged or their levels significantly reduced due to prior antibiotic treatment, Butler said.
“By identifying bacteria quickly and accurately, especially in patients previously treated with antibiotics, we can administer the correct targeted antibiotics sooner. This ensures a much faster recovery while reducing the risk of side effects and complications associated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
“Not all antibiotics are effective against all bacteria and specific bacteria are more susceptible to certain antibiotics than others. If the wrong antibiotic is used, treatment can fail, leading to prolonged illness and greater risks to the patient. This makes it essential to determine the exact cause of an infection to provide the safest and most effective treatment.”
The World Health Organization has described superbugs as “one of the top global public health and development threats”.
Last month, a National Audit Office report warned that they were already contributing to more than 35,000 deaths a year in the UK and that the government “remains a long way” from achieving its aim of containing and controlling them.
Butler said cutting the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics with rapid DNA sequencing could help turn the tide in the war on superbugs.
“Prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotics doesn’t just affect the individual patient – it can promote bacterial mutations, leading to antibiotic resistance and the emergence of superbugs,” he said.
“These superbugs can cause deadly infections, such as hard-to-treat sepsis, and once established, they can spread within hospitals. This puts other patients – especially those who are already seriously ill – at even greater risk.
“By rapidly pinpointing infections and delivering precise treatment, this new approach not only improves patient outcomes but also helps prevent antibiotic-resistant superbugs from taking hold in hospitals, protecting future patients and the wider public.” |
Collaboration will build on Oxford Nanopore’s ongoing investment in Canada and support future research initiatives aimed at addressing health disparities
Genome Canada and Oxford Nanopore Technologies today announced a collaboration aimed at significantly enhancing genomics research across Canada. Through the Canadian Precision Health Initiative (CPHI), the collaboration will help researchers and clinicians build a comprehensive database of human genomic insights, enhancing the understanding of Canada's diverse genetic architecture to drive innovation and advancements in personalised precision health research.
Genome Canada is Canada’s largest funding body tasked with advancing genomics-based research across health, agriculture, and the environment. By fostering collaboration amongst academic, public, private, and non-profit sectors, Genome Canada accelerates the development of innovative solutions to tackle critical challenges such as climate change, food security, and health disparities. |
32v31. I do think there is a change to terminal value of perhaps 10-20% from DOGE (based on probability weighted outcomes of no impact, modest impact, big impact). Hal of this should have been priced in before results.
I bought even more at 89p yesterday. As usual I jumped too early with the first slug. I didn't anticipate capitulation from people in the 90s who didn't sell above 140, and who still believe in the products and, in some cases, Ellison's interest, when the value change was already more than priced in. |
On the assumption that Roche wlll eat more of ILMNs lunch than ONT, yes, it could well be. |
I'm probably an outlier thinking this, but this is the buying opportunity isn't it? Tech hasn't changed, market opportunity hasn't changed, terminal value hasn't changed etc etc. |
At these ownership levels, any potential bid that's not attractive isn't going to happen. So the takeover protection is largely back even though the LAT shares have expired.
You would think this is now either for influence or a pure investment thesis (which may be over a long term horizon).
He was content to buy at £1.50 and the rate of buying is higher at sub £1. |
Almost 15% now. Where does this go from here?! |
Larry must have a Dyson... |
If there is something untoward then that will trigger an RNS.So its difficult to know what they can say following on the recent update.ONT haven't been signalled out,other biotechs have been clobbered as have alternative energy suppliers in the months post the Trump election.These sharp markdowns feel personal but its invariably thinly traded stocks suffering the consequences of derisking in uncertain markets.For all the long term attractions that stocks like ONT might offer-short term-loss making mid caps are out of vogue.It probably represents a real opportunity to average down......after you! :) |
Should management provide a statement on devastating shareholder returns?? |
We are becoming increasing less significant as a financial centre. Shunning of UK markets, repatriation of the gold, GBP share of global trade being what it is etc. Almost as if it's on purpose. |
Incredible selling/shorting - not sure where the bottom is (if there's any), all you can do is keep faith in British innovation in science and technology. |
Updates post period end:
· Pricing: Revised pricing model with the aim of increasing simplicity and transparency for customers whilst improving the sustainability of Oxford Nanopore as a business. These changes align the Group with industry peers by offering more conventional capital purchase schemes to customers, alongside flexibility for leasing as appropriate through financing partners or direct, whilst maintaining affordable and accessible sequencing through the Group's range of portable devices.
This was perhaps "new" news and something else to consider how this is being landed across the customer base... |
Apple - I did slice what I'd bought in the 90s at 160 and then added it back at 130. I'll vouch that it still doesn't feel great! |
For transparency I still have a holding in my ISA bought recently at 118p. The fall has pretty much wiped out all my ONT trading profit for this financial year :( |
Well I've been watching for the sidelines for some time, thankfully; as TBF says, "The Doge Effect"; since otherwise the margins and growth in revenues reported seems very positive and cash balance doesn't look perilous - does it?
I guess the market being now in full risk off mode we will be seeking to find the new bottom here, with half an eye on the historic low, which I think was just under 90p in June. Larry may not get it any cheaper. |
Shorters obviously had understood the DOGE impact far greater than I did. Chart says these are going to test sub 90p. However we are down 45% from recent intraday high of 168 so the fall has been pretty brutal. Perhaps over done. I crystalised a loss in my non Isa shares this morning as I can offset a large slice of the loss through CGT liabilities. I don't see any near term drivers of recovery. But WTFDIK! |
hard to see when price will stabilise....interesting to see how the shorters adapt to this update ... |
Sold out this morning for a chunky loss. Don't really see any reason to remain invested here. |
Well I have bought a decent slug.
I am still so miffed for missing the 2 160ish spikes, though realistically I would have bought back almost immediately 20p ish lower |
According to the main man at ONT, Roche kit nowhere near as good, it seems to rival old legacy kit of theirs. Hopefully he's correct. Though he's conscious of rivals and their need to possibly infringe patents, He's watching, well that's how I read it but I'm not that bright. GLA |
Roche starts 2026, so not so immediate as the DT issues. At least we seem to have been spared the Illumina treatment from China yesterday in response to the tariffs.
Patience it seems on the NIH clarifications. |
In terms of unknowns, the political situation in the US has to be the largest. I estimated the total knock on effect on turnover could be up to 25%, as it's likely not just NIH that will be forced to make changes.
"Outlook FY25 guidance
...Revenue is expected to grow by 20 - 23% on a constant currency basis, reflecting continued strong demand across the business but taking into consideration recent updates and risks to US Federal funding, in particular with the National Institutes of Health ("NIH"), and a tightening of export control restrictions:
o Federal funding including the NIH: there remains material uncertainty and risk to US NIH funding levels (and other Federal agencies) to which management estimate a total Group exposure of between 10-15% of revenues. Given the situation is still evolving, management have prudently assumed a material reduction pending further clarity..."
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Not much about Roche, except to say that it's not currently seen as a direct competitor. [We don't yet have pricing on Roche]
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Legal action not mentioned? |
04 March 2025
Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc
Annual results for the year ended 31 December 2024
Guidance achieved on the back of strong and accelerating momentum in H2 24 across all regions; investments made in operational platform position the Group strongly for 2025
Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc (LSE: ONT) ("Oxford Nanopore" or the "Group"), the company behind a new generation of molecular sensing technology based on nanopores, today announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Gordon Sanghera, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"I am pleased to be reporting another year of strong, underlying constant currency revenue growth of 23%, in line with guidance. We are particularly encouraged by the increasing momentum delivered across all regions into the second half of 2024, with overall underlying revenue growth at constant currency accelerating to 34%. This, together with good cost control, drove an improvement in our EBITDA loss in H2 and we expect this trend to continue in 2025.
"We have continued to innovate at pace to meet customer needs in our target markets. We launched four new products in 2024, two of which - GridION Q and ElysION - are aimed at our regulated customer base to drive adoption in new Clinical, BioPharma and Applied Industrial markets. We also continued to demonstrate strong commercial execution, announcing several landmark contracts and new strategic collaborations during the year, as well as progressing existing collaborations. These included partnerships with the UK Government, UK Biobank and Precision Health Research Singapore that will advance genomics-driven healthcare innovation globally.
"While we expect the macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop to remain uncertain, we enter 2025 with strong operational momentum and a growing opportunity pipeline. Our highly differentiated platform, commercial capabilities and robust balance sheet continue to position us well to capture the substantial market opportunity and deliver long-term sustainable above market growth and attractive returns for our shareholders." |
Shorters obviously not expecting much from the results tomorrow. New low for the year. |
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