CIGA Healthcare

What CIGA Healthcare does

CIGA Healthcare is a family-owned manufacturer of rapid diagnostic tests, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, with a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary (CIGA Healthcare LLC, Norwalk, CT) established in 2012. The company develops, manufactures, and distributes lateral-flow rapid tests across three segments — over-the-counter self-testing (Suresign), professional/clinical use (Suresign Professional), and veterinary diagnostics (Suresign Veterinary) — covering infectious disease, antigen and antibody detection, and pregnancy testing, with veterinary products delivering results in as fast as five minutes. Manufacturing is conducted under ISO 13485 and BRC quality standards, with all products CE marked (assessed by EMA-appointed bodies) and FDA approved, enabling supply into regulated healthcare and retail channels.

CIGA operates a hybrid branded-plus-OEM commercial model. Under its flagship Suresign brand family, products are sold to pharmacy chains, independent pharmacies, and government health services (preferred supplier to the UK NHS and Ireland HSE), reaching over 70 countries through international distributors. In parallel, the company manufactures diagnostic products on a private-label/OEM basis for major retailers and distributors including ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Amazon, Alliance Healthcare (Europe), Walmart Canada, and NFI under the EPT brand in the USA. The company is also pursuing next-generation technology through an R&D partnership with Ulster University focused on digital readers, spectroscopy-based diagnostics, and tests for heart failure and dementia.

In November 2025, Kingsway Pharmaceuticals acquired a strategic minority stake in CIGA, forming a joint venture aimed at accelerating U.S. at-home and retail diagnostic expansion, strengthening supply chain stability, and broadening product development. The company employs 51–100 people and is led by founder and CEO Irwin Armstrong alongside family members and directors Allan Armstrong (operations) and Neill Armstrong (sales), with non-executive director David Watwood. Revenue, financials, and the specific size of the Kingsway investment were not disclosed.

Name

CIGA Healthcare

Legal name

CIGA Healthcare Ltd.

Website

https://cigahealthcare.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CIGA Healthcare is a family-owned Northern Ireland manufacturer of rapid diagnostic tests sold under the Suresign brand and as OEM products for major retailers, serving OTC consumers, healthcare professionals, and veterinary markets in over 70 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rapid Diagnostic Tests

NAICS

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Home-Use & OTC Rapid Self-Tests (Consumer POCT kits) (HLAHAOAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterinary Microbiology & Infectious Disease Testing (Culture/PCR/Serology) (HLAMADAC), Remote Diagnostics & Home Testing Devices (Connected POC/At-Home Diagnostic Readers) (HLAHACAL), Laboratory Quality Systems, Accreditation & Proficiency Testing Programs (HLAJAIAM)

Keywords

• Rapid diagnostic tests
• OTC self-test kits
• Point-of-care diagnostics
• Veterinary diagnostic tests
• Medical device manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Ballymena

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Diagnostic Test Sales: CIGA Healthcare generates revenue through the sale of rapid diagnostic tests and medical devices under the Suresign brand and OEM agreements. Products are sold to pharmacies, health services, retailers, and through international distribution networks.
2. OEM/Private Label Manufacturing: The company supplies diagnostic products to major retailers and companies under their own brands, including ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Amazon, Alliance Healthcare, Walmart Canada, and NFI.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CIGA Healthcare manufactures and distributes rapid diagnostic tests under the Suresign brand family for over-the-counter self-testing, professional clinical use, and veterinary applications. The company also produces OEM/private-label diagnostic products supplied to major retailers and wholesalers. Its products are used in pharmacy, retail, e-commerce, government health service, and veterinary channels across more than 70 countries.

Product overview

CIGA Healthcare is a family-owned diagnostic test manufacturer offering a unified portfolio centered on rapid test diagnostics. Their primary offerings are organized under the Suresign brand family: Suresign (OTC/self-test), Suresign Professional (clinical/professional use), and Suresign Veterinary (animal health). The company also supplies products under OEM/white-label arrangements to major retailers including ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Amazon, Walmart, and Alliance Healthcare. All products are rapid diagnostic tests designed for point-of-care use across human health (OTC and professional) and veterinary segments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Suresign: Flagship brand encompassing a broad range of medical devices and diagnostic tests; preferred supplier to NHS and health services globally; includes OTC, Professional, and Veterinary lines.
• Suresign Professional
• Suresign Veterinary

Products and services

• Suresign OTC Diagnostic Tests Flagship over-the-counter diagnostic test range for self-testing by consumers, covering multiple health conditions; preferred supplier to NHS and several international health services; sold in over 70 countries via pharmacies and retailers.
• Suresign Professional Diagnostic Tests Professional rapid diagnostic tests for clinicians and healthcare providers in point-of-care settings; preferred supplier to NHS and several international health services.
• Suresign Veterinary Diagnostic Tests Rapid veterinary diagnostic tests for veterinarians, including Canine Parvovirus, Canine CRP, Canine Distemper, Canine Leishmania, Feline Panleukopenia, and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus tests; results in as quick as 5 minutes.
• OEM / Private-Label Diagnostic Products Custom-branded diagnostic products manufactured for major retailers and partners including ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Amazon, Alliance Healthcare (Europe), Walmart (Canada), and NFI/EPT brand (USA), alongside the Suresign brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• One diagnostic test used every 5 seconds
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Ulster UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with Ulster University for developing new diagnostic technologies including digital readers, spectroscopy, heart failure tests, and dementia tests as part of CIGA's extensive R&D programme.
• British In Vitro Diagnostic Association (BIVDA)minorOthersCIGA Healthcare is a member of BIVDA, the British In Vitro Diagnostic Association, representing the interests of IVD manufacturers in the UK.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• bioMérieux: Major in vitro diagnostics company with rapid test offerings across clinical and industrial applications. Comparable to CIGA's IVD manufacturing footprint and multi-segment portfolio, though bioMérieux is significantly larger and more clinical-laboratory oriented.
• Abbott: Global diagnostics leader with the BinaxNOW and other rapid lateral-flow product lines covering infectious disease, cardiac, and OTC tests sold through major retailers and pharmacies. Directly comparable to CIGA across OTC and point-of-care rapid diagnostics but at vastly larger scale.
• Becton Dickinson (BD): Diversified medical-technology company whose BD Veritor point-of-care system and consumer diagnostics products compete with CIGA in professional rapid testing and OTC self-test categories distributed through retail pharmacies.

Direct peers

• SD Biosensor: South Korean rapid diagnostics manufacturer with a strong portfolio of lateral-flow tests for infectious disease and OTC self-testing sold globally through distributors and tenders. Directly comparable to CIGA's rapid test development, ISO 13485 manufacturing, and international distributor model.
• Hangzhou AllTest Biotech: Chinese manufacturer of rapid diagnostic tests covering infectious disease, drug of abuse, fertility, and veterinary applications, sold globally under its own brand and via OEM/white-label. Directly comparable to CIGA in scale, multi-segment rapid-test portfolio, and global distributor-led GTM.
• ACON Laboratories: US-headquartered rapid diagnostics manufacturer offering OTC self-tests (pregnancy, ovulation, infectious disease), professional rapid tests, and OEM/private-label capabilities. Closely matches CIGA's Suresign OTC plus OEM-brand business model and target pharmacy/retail channels.
• Princeton BioMeditech: Developer and manufacturer of rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests, including the Status line of OTC drug-of-abuse and infectious-disease tests sold in retail pharmacies. Closely comparable to CIGA's Suresign OTC retail distribution model.
• QuidelOrtho: Specialized rapid diagnostics manufacturer with the QuickVue, Sofia, and Triage product families spanning OTC infectious-disease, professional point-of-care, and veterinary applications. Closely aligned with CIGA's Suresign OTC, Professional, and Veterinary portfolio mix.

Emerging players

• GenBody: Korean diagnostics company developing and manufacturing rapid immunodiagnostic tests for infectious disease and OTC use. Comparable to CIGA's rapid lateral-flow capabilities with growing international distribution reach.
• Innovita Biological Technology: Chinese rapid diagnostics manufacturer with respiratory, infectious disease, and fertility test kits sold globally. Comparable to CIGA in rapid-test portfolio breadth and global distributor-led GTM, though CIGA has stronger European retail and NHS presence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cigahealthcare
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CIGAHealthcare
• Facebookfacebook.com/cigahealthcare
• Instagraminstagram.com/cigahealthcare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ciga-healthcare-ltd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 CIGA Healthcare