Linear is developing a low-cost, accurate, near-patient diagnostic platform, that aims to diagnose infection from a single sample faster than any commercially available alternative.

The funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Invention for Innovation program covers a three-year package of work, which will culminate in the first test of the technology on clinical samples in a real-world setting, and readiness for clinical trials.

Linear's Exponential Amplification (EXPAR) technology detects bacterial DNA using an extremely fast method for amplifying the signal, which was developed and tested at the University during the COVID-19 pandemic, with results published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The company has now shown that it can detect bacterial STIs, urinary tract infections, and viral infections including SARS-CoV-2 in as little as 5 minutes.

In recent years the company has focused on STIs, specifically Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis as the emergence of multi-drug-resistant strain of the former has become a global concern.

It is here that rapid testing is essential to stop the chain of transmission, so patients can be diagnosed and start treatment within one clinic visit. While current tests may be easy to use with minimal training, existing technologies have been unable to meet the target of 20 minutes from sample to results.

The new funding will enable Linear to finalise the design of a cartridge and reader design platform and validate the platform.

Dr Jean-Louis Duprey, Head of Research and Development at Linear Diagnostics, said: "The most difficult criteria to achieve in diagnostic testing is combining rapidity with accuracy. While rapid lateral flow meets the ideal timeframe of 20 minutes to diagnosis, it struggles to meet market requirements for high sensitivity and specificity. And while Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests deliver high accuracy, samples are sent to laboratories for analysis, meaning the waiting time for results may be days. We are developing a near patient device that will overcome this conundrum."

The HRC, hosted by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Newcastle University, will help to evaluate the technology.

Dr Jana Suklan, Senior Methodologist at the HRC, said: "The NIHR HRC in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation is delighted to be collaborating with the North East Innovation Lab to support Linear Diagnostics with their exciting technology. Through reviewing clinical guidelines and speaking with healthcare professionals as well as patients and the public we will pinpoint how the platform can be developed and used so it can improve patient care."

"Our research involves analyzing unmet needs, examining current practice and identifying the most promising point in the patient pathway for implementing the technology. We will also assess the diagnostic accuracy of the test by statistically analysing data collected by the innovation lab and determine whether adopting the technology will provide value for money for the NHS through health economic modelling. Our public contributors will guide the research and ensure it meets the needs of patients, public and carers."

John Tyson, Head of the North East Innovation Lab, part of Newcastle Hospitals, said: "We're delighted to have the opportunity to continue our collaborative work with our partner innovators to support the development and evaluation of this new exciting test. By providing access to an extensive range of clinical samples and NHS lab performance testing, we can generate the necessary evidence to move new innovative technologies to the next stage of their development or launch to mainstream use."

Interestingly, a recent study from the Bohr lab (Nat Commun, 2019 Nov 21;10(1):5284) showed that patients with WS model systems and patients had decreased levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺), a biomolecule crucial for cellular energy production, DNA repair, and various metabolic processes. This finding suggested that NAD⁺ depletion may contribute to the progression of the disease. While direct NAD⁺ supplementation isn't feasible in mammals, using its precursor -- nicotinamide riboside (NR) from Niagen Bioscience -- has shown promising results in animal studies, extending lifespan and protecting against age-related decline. In human clinical trials, NR has also demonstrated benefits against chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and muscle weakness across various populations. However, the effects of NR in WS remained largely unexplored -- until now.

In a recent study, a research team led by Associate Professor Masaya Koshizaka from the Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University/Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Chiba University Hospital, Japan, conducted the world's first rigorous clinical trial of NR in patients with WS. Their paper, published in Aging Cell on June 03, 2025, was co-authored by University President Koutaro Yokote, Assistant Professor Hisaya Kato, Associate Professor Yoshiro Maezawa, and Assistant Professor Mayumi Shoji, all from Chiba University, along with Affiliate Professor Vilhelm Bohr from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

This groundbreaking work involved a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of NR supplementation. The research team enrolled patients with WS in a crossover design, where participants received either a daily dose of NR or a placebo for 26 weeks, switched treatments for another 26 weeks. Researchers tracked NAD⁺ blood levels, skin ulcer size, arterial stiffness, and kidney function.

NR supplementation significantly increased NAD⁺ levels in patient blood compared to placebo. Importantly, NR improved arterial stiffness (a marker of cardiovascular disease risk), reduced the skin ulcer area, and appeared to slow the progression of kidney dysfunction -- all without any serious side effects. Moreover, a comprehensive examination of metabolites in blood revealed that NR treatment reduced levels of creatinine and other compounds associated with kidney dysfunction. This suggests that NR may help protect kidney function, addressing another serious complication of WS.

Dr. Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, Global Director of Niagen Bioscience's External Research Program called CERP, commented, "this study represents a significant step forward in understanding how NAD⁺ restoration with NR may help address the underlying biology of WS. By supporting cardiovascular, skin, and kidney health, NR shows potential to improve the quality of life for patients with this devastating condition. We are proud to support Chiba University's groundbreaking research as part of our ongoing commitment to advancing NAD⁺ science for rare and underserved diseases."

The treatment's multiple benefits across many different organ systems indicate that NAD⁺ depletion may be a fundamental mechanism in WS that can be targeted therapeutically. "Our findings suggest NR could serve as a valuable treatment option for two major symptoms, arteriosclerosis and skin ulcers, as well as for preventing kidney function decline," explains Dr. Koshizaka. The results are particularly significant given that untreatable skin ulcers affect well over 70% of patients with WS, often leading to amputation, while cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of early mortality in this population.

Though larger studies are needed to extend these findings, this pioneering research offers new hope for patients with WS who have long lacked effective treatment options. Beyond its immediate implications for this rare condition, the study also provides valuable insights into the biology of aging and potential interventions to address age-related decline more broadly.

"We hope our work will accelerate studies on not only WS but also other premature aging disorders and common age-related diseases -- ultimately helping to extend health span and improve quality of life in both patients and the broader population," concludes Dr. Koshizaka.