What ProAxsis does

ProAxsis is a Northern Ireland-based specialty diagnostics company that develops and commercialises laboratory immunoassays and a point-of-care test for the quantitative measurement of active protease biomarkers. Founded in 2013 as a spin-out of Queen's University Belfast, the company is built around its proprietary ProteaseTag® technology — smart molecules that selectively and irreversibly bind active proteases, enabling measurement of the biologically active fraction of proteases rather than total protein (which is what standard antibody-based ELISA methods detect). The platform is adaptable to any protease and has been commercialised as a portfolio of CE-Marked research-use immunoassays (Active Neutrophil Elastase, Active Proteinase 3, Active Plasmin, and Cathepsin G), the NEATstik® point-of-care lateral flow test (results in under 10 minutes), an enhanced-sensitivity NE Premium assay, and 2-plex and 4-plex multiplex panels.

The company serves three primary customer segments: pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies conducting respiratory drug development and clinical trials (notably AstraZeneca and Insmed, where ProAxsis technology contributed to FDA approval of BRINSUPRI for non-CF bronchiectasis), academic and research institutions (University of Dundee, Imperial College London, University of Oxford), and clinical research services customers commissioning bespoke assay development and sample analysis. Revenue is generated through the sale of research-use kits, point-of-care tests, clinical research services, and bespoke assay development, supplemented by licensing royalties from in-licensed products (AstraZeneca COVID-19 serology, University of Geneva K-POSTN bone health assay). GTM combines direct sales to enterprise pharma and academic accounts with a regional distributor network covering North America (Diapharma), UK/Ireland (Diagenics), the DACH region, and Asia (Kyberlife). ProAxsis operates as a fully-owned subsidiary of AIM-listed NetScientific plc, with 11-50 employees headquartered at Randox Science Park in Antrim. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

Name

ProAxsis

Legal name

ProAxsis Limited

Website

https://proaxsis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ProAxsis is a Northern Ireland-based diagnostics company that develops CE-Marked immunoassays and the NEATstik point-of-care test for active protease biomarkers, serving pharmaceutical drug-development programmes, academic research institutions, and clinical trial sponsors in respiratory and bone health indications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Respiratory Diagnostics

NAICS

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151), Medical Laboratories (621511), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Proteomics & Biomarker Analytical Testing (HLAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biomarker Assay & Reagent Development (LDT/IVD assay design, antibodies/standards/controls) (HLAAAMAL), Clinical Biomarker Testing Services (central labs, trial enrollment/monitoring assays) (HLAAAMAC), Reagents, Chemicals & Assay Kits (Buffers, Antibodies, ELISA, Enzymes) (HLAGAIAI)

Keywords

• Protease biomarker assays
• Respiratory disease diagnostics
• Neutrophil elastase testing
• Point-of-care diagnostics
• Clinical biomarker services

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research-Use Immunoassay Products: Sale of laboratory-based research-use immunoassays including ProteaseTag Active Neutrophil Elastase Immunoassay, ProteaseTag Active Proteinase 3 Immunoassay, and ProteaseTag Active Plasmin Immunoassay. Products are CE Mark registered for European market commercialization.
2. Point-of-Care Test Products: Sale of NEATstik, a single-use qualitative lateral flow device for measuring active neutrophil elastase. Available as single test or multipack of 10 tests. CE Mark registered.
3. Clinical Research Services: Specialist clinical research services including sample processing, protease biomarker analysis, and data reporting for pharmaceutical company-sponsored Phase I, II and III clinical trials.
4. Bespoke Assay Development: Custom assay development and optimization, bespoke scientific collaboration and translational research projects for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic research programmes.
5. Licensing Royalties: Revenue from licensing agreements including worldwide licensing deal with AstraZeneca for COVID-19 serology assay and global commercialisation rights from University of Geneva for bone health assay.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ProAxsis develops and sells laboratory-based research-use immunoassays and a point-of-care test built on its proprietary ProteaseTag technology for the selective measurement of active protease biomarkers associated with respiratory disease, inflammation, and other protease-related conditions. The company also provides specialist clinical research services including sample processing, protease biomarker analysis, data reporting for clinical trials, and bespoke assay development and scientific collaboration for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic research programmes.

Product overview

ProAxsis is a commercial protease biomarker research company offering a portfolio of research-use immunoassays and a point-of-care test, all powered by the proprietary ProteaseTag technology. The core product line includes the NEATstik point-of-care test for rapid neutrophil elastase measurement, the ProteaseTag Active Neutrophil Elastase Immunoassay, the ProteaseTag Active Proteinase 3 Immunoassay, and the ProteaseTag Active Plasmin Immunoassay. The portfolio is supplemented by multiplex panels (2-plex protease and 4-plex cytokine), licensed products including the K-POSTN bone health assay and COVID-19 serology assay, and the enhanced NE Premium assay. The company also provides clinical research services including sample processing, custom assay development, and bespoke scientific collaboration to support pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research programs in respiratory diseases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ProteaseTag: Proprietary technology platform for selective and irreversible binding of active proteases, enabling measurement and analysis of active protease biomarkers.
• NEATstik

Products and services

• NEATstik Point-of-Care Test Single-use qualitative lateral flow device that uses ProteaseTag technology to capture and measure active neutrophil elastase in sputum samples, delivering results in under 10 minutes for monitoring lung inflammation and infection in respiratory disease patients.
• ProteaseTag Active Neutrophil Elastase Immunoassay Research-use immunoassay for quantitative determination of active human neutrophil elastase in sputum samples, using patented ProteaseTag technology for selective measurement of active proteases.
• ProteaseTag Active Proteinase 3 Immunoassay Research-use immunoassay for quantitative determination of active human proteinase 3 in sputum samples using patented ProteaseTag technology.
• ProteaseTag Active Plasmin Immunoassay Research-use immunoassay for specific measurement of active plasmin, a protease associated with fibrinolysis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
• NE Premium Assay Enhanced laboratory assay for neutrophil elastase delivering 100-fold improved sensitivity over the existing ProteaseTag Active NE Immunoassay, enabling use across a wider range of biological samples.
• 2-Plex Protease Multiplex Panel Multiplex panel enabling simultaneous quantitative measurement of active neutrophil elastase and proteinase 3, used for COVID-19 symptom severity assessment and broader respiratory research.
• 4-Plex Cytokine Multiplex Panel Cytokine multiplex panel validated for sputum samples, measuring IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha for COVID-19 symptom severity assessment.
• COVID-19 Serology Assay Plasma-based assay for identifying IgG antibodies raised against the COVID-19 virus following vaccination or infection, licensed from AstraZeneca for clinical trial use.
• K-POSTN Assay Novel immunoassay for monitoring bone health in patients at high risk of osteoporotic fractures, licensed from the University of Geneva with global commercialisation rights held by ProAxsis.
• Clinical Research Services Specialist clinical research services including sample processing, protease biomarker analysis and data reporting for pharmaceutical company-sponsored Phase I, II and III clinical trials.
• Bespoke Assay Development Custom assay development, optimisation, and bespoke scientific collaboration and translational research projects for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic research programmes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100-fold improvement in sensitivity achieved for NE Premium assay compared to existing ProteaseTag Active NE Immunoassay
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and growth.

• InsmedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProAxsis supplied ProteaseTag assays for use within Insmed's Phase II WILLOW study which supported FDA approval of Insmed's first-in-class BRINSUPRI treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. ProAxsis technology helped gain FDA approval for BRINSUPRI.
• Diapharma Group, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNon-exclusive distributor for ProAxsis products within US and Canada. Handles product order enquiries for ProteaseTag immunoassays and NEATstik point-of-care test in North American market.
• Diagenics LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for ProteaseTag Active Neutrophil Elastase Immunoassay in Great Britain and Ireland. Founded in 1994, Diagenics supplies high quality diagnostic products to NHS and private hospitals, and University and industrial biomedical research laboratories throughout the UK region.
• KyberlifegrowthChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSingapore-based e-commerce partnership enabling ProAxsis product portfolio availability in Asia market. Kyberlife offers a novel open marketplace platform hosting global healthcare vendors including Roche and Merck. Partnership enables listing of laboratory-based assays and point-of-care tests with option to add new products as commercially available.
• Aptamer GroupgrowthStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to improve global logistics and stability of diagnostic tests. Collaboration aimed at enhancing diagnostic test distribution capabilities and product stability for international markets.
• Future Medicines InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProAxsis named as key industry partner in £55 million industry-led collaborative initiative bringing together leading precision medicine companies with researchers from Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University. Supported by £35 million from Northern Ireland Executive and £20 million from industry partners.
• CPI (Centre for Process Innovation)growthStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with CPI on NEATstik development project supported by Innovate UK SMART Grant funding. Project focused on developing prototype sputum processing tool to enhance NEATstik test for potential respiratory biomarker self-test product.
• Leading London UniversitygrowthStrategic or Co-development PartnerProAxsis is conducting a clinical study with a leading London University as part of planned £1m fundraise activities. Study focuses on advancing respiratory clinical research and drug development through specialist protease biomarker insights.
• University of DundeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with University of Dundee led by Dr James Chalmers. ProAxsis technology used in bronchiectasis study demonstrating that sputum NE activity is biomarker of disease severity and future exacerbation risk. Study enrolled 380+ patients over three years, results published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
• Imperial College LondongrowthStrategic or Co-development PartnerProAxsis targeting growth in COPD market through technology evaluation partnership with Imperial College London. Study focuses on respiratory disease affecting over 200 million people worldwide.
• Northern Ireland Connected Health Innovation Centre (CHIC)growthStrategic or Co-development Partner12-month collaborative project with CHIC at Ulster University focused on development of quantitative lateral flow device to monitor clinical status of patients with respiratory diseases. Collaboration includes Causeway Sensors and CMASS Limited partners.
• Queen's University BelfastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProAxsis originated as spin-out from Queen's University Belfast. University maintains ongoing relationship through Non-Executive Director David Moore (Head of Spin-Outs and Investments at QUBIS). Collaborative studentship with Dr Rich Williams exploring early detection of inflammatory proteases, partially funded by EPSRC.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• ALPCO Diagnostics: US-based specialty immunoassay manufacturer offering niche ELISA and colorimetric assays across metabolic, inflammation, and cancer biomarker areas. Comparable to ProAxsis in scale, product format (research-use immunoassay kits), and go-to-market through specialty distributors.
• Mercodia: Swedish specialty immunoassay developer (now part of Merck Animal Health) focused on endocrine and metabolic biomarkers such as insulin and C-peptide. Comparable to ProAxsis as a research-use and clinical biomarker assay specialist with a similar product catalog and academic/pharma customer base.
• Eagle Biosciences: US-based specialty immunoassay manufacturer and distributor offering research-use ELISA and chemiluminescence kits across endocrinology, inflammation, and cardiovascular biomarkers. Closely comparable to ProAxsis in size, product format, and academic/pharmaceutical customer base.
• Bühlmann Laboratories: Swiss specialty immunoassay company focused on inflammatory and gastrointestinal biomarkers (calprotectin, pancreatic elastase). Closely comparable to ProAxsis as a niche research-use and clinical biomarker assay provider serving similar specialty diagnostic channels with ELISA-style kits.

Emerging players

• SomaLogic: US-based proteomics company using aptamer-based SomaScan platform for large-scale biomarker discovery and clinical applications. Comparable to ProAxsis as a proteomics biomarker technology competitor seeking to displace traditional ELISA methods in clinical research and pharmaceutical trials.
• Quanterix: US-based proteomics biomarker company offering ultra-sensitive Simoa immunoassay platform for neurology, oncology, and inflammation research. Comparable to ProAxsis as a biomarker detection technology competitor, though Quanterix is publicly listed and at a larger commercial scale.

Broad incumbents

• Meso Scale Diagnostics: US-based platform immunoassay company offering multiplex electrochemiluminescence biomarker assays across drug development and clinical research. Comparable to ProAxsis as a competing immunoassay platform serving pharmaceutical clinical trial sample analysis, though at significantly larger scale and broader menu.
• Bio-Techne (including R&D Systems and ProteinSimple): Large publicly traded life science tools company offering a comprehensive catalog of ELISA kits, antibodies, and proteomics research tools. Competes with ProAxsis across the research-use immunoassay and antibody-based biomarker detection markets, though Bio-Techne's focus is total protein rather than active protease measurement.

Regional players

• Diagenics: UK-based diagnostic distributor supplying ELISA kits and immunoassays to NHS hospitals, private hospitals, and university research laboratories. Comparable to ProAxsis as a UK/Ireland distribution channel partner and as a similarly-sized specialty diagnostics intermediary serving the same academic/customer base.
• Diapharma Group: US-based specialty diagnostic distributor supplying coagulation, inflammation, andresearch-use immunoassay products to North American clinical and research laboratories. Comparable to ProAxsis as the company's North American distributor and as a similarly-positioned specialty diagnostics intermediary in the same biomarker markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ProAxsis

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ProAxsis