What NationWide Laboratories does

NationWide Laboratories (legal entity: National Veterinary Services Ltd) is a UK-based veterinary diagnostic laboratory founded in 1983 and headquartered in Poulton-le-Fylde. It operates three UKAS ISO 17025-accredited sites — Poulton-le-Fylde (core laboratory), Cambridge (NationWide Specialist Laboratories, endocrinology and radioimmunoassays) and Newton Abbot (histopathology and cytology, ex-Abbey Veterinary Services) — and is wholly owned by Patterson Companies Inc. (NASDAQ: PDCO) following the 2013 acquisition of its parent NVSL. The lab serves primarily UK veterinary practices across companion animal, equine, farm, and exotic/zoo segments, plus smaller adjacent customer groups including CROs, research institutions, and hydrotherapy/animal facilities.

The portfolio covers the full routine diagnostic menu: biochemistry, haematology, endocrinology, histopathology, cytology, and microbiology, with molecular diagnostics enabled through the VITEK 2 platform and dedicated specialist services including allervet allergy testing (Nextmune PAX), Nu.Q Vet Cancer screening (Volition), NeuterReady hormonal maturity testing (InsituGen), Orivet DNA profiling, high-speed 3DHistech PANNORAMIC digital slide scanning, and an External Quality Assessment scheme. UKAS ISO 17025 accreditation (No. 1733) underpins the value proposition, backed by a deep specialist talent bench of FRCPath, DipECVP, and ACVP-credentialed clinical and anatomic pathologists.

Revenue is generated primarily on a transaction-fee basis per test, with a recurring subscription EQA scheme for veterinary practice compliance with RCVS Practice Standards. Distribution is sales-led via regional territory managers, an NVS Group courier network for sample collection, postal services, and a self-serve online portal and e-Schedule courier booking app. GTM is reinforced through CPD content, webinars (The Webinar Vet, Veterinary Practice/Improve International), and clinical partnerships (BSAVA PetSavers, University of Liverpool).

Name

NationWide Laboratories

Legal name

National Veterinary Services Ltd

Website

https://nwlabs.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

NationWide Laboratories is a UKAS ISO 17025-accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratory serving UK companion animal, equine, farm, and exotic practices with biochemistry, haematology, endocrinology, histopathology, microbiology, and specialist tests via three sites; it is a subsidiary of Patterson Companies Inc. via NVS Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Poulton Le Fylde

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Veterinary Diagnostic Testing Services: Fee-for-service diagnostic testing model where veterinary practices submit samples (blood, tissue, urine, etc.) and receive test results. Services include biochemistry profiles, haematology panels, histopathology/cytology examinations, endocrinology tests, microbiology cultures, and specialized tests. Pricing varies by test type and complexity.
2. Specialist Laboratory Services: Specialized endocrinology testing through NationWide Specialist Laboratories Cambridge site, including hormone analysis using radioimmunoassays and reproductive testing
3. DNA Profiling and Genetic Testing: DNA profiling services powered by Orivet™ including breed identification, health screening, and lifetime wellness planning for pets
4. Digital Slide Scanning: High-speed digital slide scanning service for professionals and organizations using 3DHistech PANNORAMIC® scanner
5. External Quality Assessment (EQA) Scheme: Independent National EQA scheme for veterinary practices to assure quality in their laboratory analysers, required for RCVS Practice Standards Scheme compliance
6. Environmental and Water Testing: Hygiene testing for equipment and facilities, pool water testing for E.coli, Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and environmental screening services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NationWide Laboratories operates a UKAS-accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratory from its Wakefield facility, providing routine and specialist clinical pathology testing — including biochemistry, haematology, endocrinology, microbiology, histopathology, cytology, allergy testing, DNA profiling, and cancer screening — to veterinary practices and animal health organisations. Samples are collected via a nationwide courier network and results are delivered through a 24/7 online portal and mobile app. The company also offers research, project testing, and external quality assessment (EQA) services to CROs, research institutions, and animal facilities.

Product overview

NationWide Laboratories is a UK-based veterinary diagnostic laboratory offering a comprehensive portfolio of diagnostic services for companion animals, equine, and farm animals. The core services include biochemistry, haematology, endocrinology, histopathology/cytology, and microbiology. The company also provides specialist services including allervet allergy testing (powered by Nextmune's PAX technology), DNA profiling (powered by Orivet), the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test for cancer screening, and NeuterReady for hormonal maturity assessment. Environmental services include water testing and environmental screening. Additional offerings include digital slide scanning, external quality assessment schemes, and research project support. The laboratory operates multiple sites including Head Office in Poulton-le-Fylde, NationWide Specialist Laboratories in Cambridge, and the Newton Abbot histopathology facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• allervet: Comprehensive allergy testing service for cats, dogs and horses, including PAX Pet Allergy Xplorer Test powered by Nextmune.
• NeuterReady
• Artuvetrin
• Abbey Veterinary Services

Products and services

• Biochemistry Diagnostics Diagnostic biochemistry testing on blood and other samples for veterinary practices, supporting routine health screens, pre-anaesthetic profiles, and disease monitoring.
• Haematology Diagnostics Full blood count and related haematology testing for veterinary patients, supporting differential diagnosis and monitoring.
• Endocrinology Diagnostics Specialist endocrine testing including thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive hormone assays for companion animals and equines.
• Histopathology & Cytology Specialist histopathology and cytology interpretation by RCVS-recognised clinical pathologists, supporting biopsy and fine-needle aspirate diagnosis.
• Microbiology Diagnostics Culture, isolation, identification, and antimicrobial sensitivity testing of bacterial and fungal pathogens from veterinary samples.
• allervet Allergy Testing Service Allergen-specific IgE testing service for the identification of environmental and food allergens in companion animals, performed within the UKAS-accredited laboratory.
• DNA Profiling (Orivet) Genetic and DNA profiling services for companion animals, delivered in partnership with Orivet, supporting breed identification, parentage verification, and inherited disease screening.
• Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test Nucleosome-based cancer screening test for veterinary patients, offered in partnership with Volition to support early cancer detection and monitoring.
• NeuterReady Genetic Disease Screening Genetic disease screening panel designed to inform neuter decisions and identify inherited disease risk in companion animals.
• Equine Diagnostics Equine-specific diagnostic test panels and expert interpretation for performance, reproductive, and general health assessment in horses.
• Water Testing Microbiological and chemistry testing of water samples for aquatic and zoo animal facilities, supporting animal health and biosecurity.
• Environmental Screening Environmental sample screening for pathogens and contaminants relevant to animal health and biosecurity in veterinary and zoological settings.
• Digital Slide Scanning Digital scanning of glass histopathology slides to produce high-resolution digital images for archiving, review, and remote specialist consultation.
• External Quality Assessment (EQA) External Quality Assessment schemes run by the laboratory for participating laboratories, supporting proficiency and quality benchmarking under UKAS-accredited processes.
• Projects & Research Services Bespoke project and research testing services for CROs, research institutions, and animal facilities, including custom assay design and sample handling.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35+ years of continuous operation providing veterinary diagnostics since 1983
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and supporting.

• BSAVA PetSaversstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Exclusive partnership for the Ageing Canine Toolkit (ACT), developed by the University of Liverpool. The evidence-based resource helps veterinary professionals and pet owners identify early signs of age-related disease.
• Abbey Veterinary ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Abbey Veterinary Services, founded in 1985, was acquired in 2015, providing greater depth in histology and cytology experience. Now operates as NationWide Laboratories Newton Abbot.
• Cambridge Specialist Laboratory ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Cambridge Specialist Laboratory Services, formed in 1998 by scientists with expertise in veterinary endocrinology and radioimmunoassays, joined NationWide Laboratories in 2012. Now operates as NationWide Specialist Laboratories.
• National Veterinary Services (NVS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNVS is the market leader in veterinary wholesaling and distribution. NationWide Laboratories works in close partnership with NVS, which delivers sample collection services and provides the courier/logistics infrastructure. NVS Group comprises NVS Wholesale, Select from NVS, NationWide Laboratories, and VetIT Practice Management Software.
• VetITcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVetIT is the company's practice management software solution for digital practice efficiency. Part of NVS Group offering an all-round service package including bespoke software systems.
• Orivet™strategicTechnology or IntegrationOrivet™ provides the technology powering NationWide Laboratories' DNA profiling and disease risk profiling services. The service analyzes animal genomes for hereditary diseases and traits, creating personalized lifetime wellness plans (LifePlan).
• University of LiverpoolstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of the Ageing Canine Toolkit (ACT), an evidence-based resource for identifying early signs of age-related disease in dogs, partnered with NationWide Laboratories and BSAVA PetSavers.
• The Webinar VetsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInteractive learning hub partnership bringing the veterinary community together with bitesize content in various accessible formats. The Webinar Vet is open 24/7 year-round.
• Veterinary Practice and Improve InternationalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDynamic veterinary content hub partnership providing articles, webinars, and podcasts for veterinary professionals through the Veterinary Practice platform.
• NextmunestrategicTechnology or IntegrationNextmune powers the PAX® Pet Allergy Xplorer Test used in the allervet® allergy testing service, providing state-of-the-art molecular allergology for allergen identification.
• InsitigenstrategicTechnology or IntegrationInsitigen provides the proprietary bioassay technology powering NeuterReady, the hormonal maturity test for dogs before neutering.
• LGC, Public Health England, RIQAS, UK NEQAS, VETQASsupportingTechnology or IntegrationExternal Quality Assessment (EQA) scheme providers. NationWide Laboratories participates in externally audited EQA schemes offered by these organizations for proficiency testing and quality assurance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NationWideLabs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nationwide-laboratories

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 NationWide Laboratories