What Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK does

Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK is the United Kingdom representative and wholly-owned subsidiary of Pro-Lab Diagnostics, a privately held Canadian-founded corporation established in 1974 with headquarters in Toronto and additional subsidiaries in the USA. The UK entity was opened in 1995 at Bromborough, Wirral as a dedicated manufacturing site for staining solutions and now employs a 20-person team covering general management, scientific direction, production, territory sales, field applications, field service engineering, accounts, and customer service. The business manufactures and distributes microbiology and immunodiagnostics products for clinical laboratories, NHS trusts, private laboratories, universities, veterinary laboratories, and food-safety testing facilities.

The company's revenue base is built on a portfolio of proprietary in-house brands including the Microbank™ 2D cryopreservation system (more than 35 million vials supplied worldwide with up to 25 years of guaranteed storage), Prolex™ covalent latex agglutination kits for Streptococci, Staphylococci, E. coli, and Legionella, Proflow™ 15-minute lateral flow immunoassays, Pro-Stains™ CE-labelled microbiological stains, Vision™ WHO-guideline antisera with five-year shelf life, Prolisa™ 96-well EIA plates, Pro-Cult® first-generation QC organisms sourced from NCTC® and NCPF® reference cultures, and supporting consumables such as Pro-Slides™, Pro-Loops™, TestOxidase™, Mucolyse™, and EnviroBeads™. It complements this proprietary range with exclusive UK distribution rights for CerTest Biotech's VIASURE® lyophilised real-time PCR kits and ResisCheck® carbapenemase detection, plus distributed benchtop laboratory equipment from Benchmark Scientific, DAS, IUL Instruments, Q-Linea, NEO Sample Management, and BioMaxima.

Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK operates a hybrid go-to-market model: direct UK sales through a territory-based field team covering Scotland/North East, North West, London/South East, and Wales/South West, supported by a registered-customer online ordering portal with 48-hour credential approval, combined with a global distributor network across 120+ countries for international volume. The business is certified to ISO 13485:2016 as a medical device manufacturer, holds MHRA registrations, operates a UKAS-accredited QC testing laboratory (No. 2496), applies CE marking, and has secured IVDR certification for newer PCR products, creating a regulatory-grade barrier that supports its positioning as a validated, accredited supplier to clinical and public-sector laboratories.

Name

Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK

Legal name

Pro-Lab Diagnostics

Website

https://pro-lab.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK is the UK subsidiary of privately held Canadian-founded Pro-Lab Diagnostics, manufacturing and distributing proprietary microbiology diagnostic kits, stains, antisera, and QC organisms alongside exclusively distributed real-time PCR products to clinical laboratories, NHS trusts, universities, and food/veterinary testing facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Microbiology and Immunodiagnostic Products

NAICS

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047)

akta.pro primary industry

IVD Reagents, Assay Kits & Consumables (Non-instrument) (HLAHAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reagents, Chemicals & Assay Kits (Buffers, Antibodies, ELISA, Enzymes) (HLAGAIAI), Laboratory Consumables & Plasticware (Tips, Tubes, Plates, Filters) (HLAGAIAH)

Keywords

• Microbiology diagnostic kits
• Latex agglutination reagents
• Bacterial culture storage
• PCR detection kits
• Clinical laboratory reagents

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond Hill, Ontario

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Diagnostic Kits and Reagents: Manufacturing and distribution of microbiology diagnostic products including Microbank culture storage, Prolex latex agglutination kits, Proflow lateral flow kits, Prolisa EIA tests, Vision antisera, Pro-Stains microbiology stains, and Pro-Cult quality control organisms.
2. Laboratory Equipment Distribution: Distribution of benchtop laboratory equipment from represented manufacturers including IUL Instruments, DAS, Benchmark Scientific, and NEO Sample Management.
3. VIASURE PCR Detection Kits: Exclusive UK distribution of CerTest Biotech's VIASURE real-time PCR detection kits for infectious disease diagnosis.
4. Custom Stain Preparation Service: Custom delivery and preparation service ('Stain Connection') for microbiology staining solutions beyond standard product range.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK manufactures and distributes microbiology and immunodiagnostic products for clinical, food, veterinary, and research laboratories. Its core in-house product portfolio spans proprietary diagnostic kits including cryopreservation systems (Microbank™ 2D), latex agglutination kits (Prolex™), lateral flow assays (Proflow™), 96-well EIA plates (Prolisa™), CE-labelled staining solutions (Pro-Stains™), antisera (Vision™), and quality control organisms (Pro-Cult®), complemented by exclusive UK distribution of CerTest/VIASURE® PCR kits and third-party laboratory equipment from Benchmark Scientific, Q-Linea, IUL, DAS, and NEO.

Product overview

Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK operates as a manufacturer and distributor of microbiology and immunodiagnostics products, organized around a portfolio of proprietary branded diagnostic kits complemented by exclusive third-party distribution agreements. The core proprietary portfolio centres on three flagship in-house brands — Microbank™ 2D (cryopreservation storage systems), Prolex™ Latex Agglutination Kits (latex agglutination diagnostics), and Proflow™ Lateral Flow Kits (rapid immunoassays) — supported by Pro-Stains™ Microbiology Stains (CE-labelled staining reagents), Vision™ Antisera (slide agglutination antisera), Prolisa™ EIA (96-well ELISA plates), Direct Fluorescent Antibody Kits (Legionella DFA reagents), and Pro-Cult® First Generation Quality Control Organisms (UKAS-accredited reference organisms). Additional product lines include Rabbit Coagulase Plasma, Amniotic Fluid Detection tests, Pro-Slides™ QC Slides, Rax and Stax laboratory racks, and Covid-19 testing products. In parallel, the company distributes products from Benchmark Scientific, DAS, IUL Instruments, Q-Linea, NEO Sample Management, and CerTest Biotech (VIASURE® Real Time PCR kits, ResisCheck®). The company also provides engineering support services, online ordering, and daily account management. Products are CE-labelled where applicable, manufactured under ISO 13485:2016, and registered with MHRA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Microbank™: Long-term storage and retrieval system for bacterial and fungal cultures, featuring cryovial system with treated beads and cryopreservative solution.
• Prolex™
• Proflow™
• Pro-Stains™
• Vision™ Antisera
• Prolisa™ EIA
• Pro-Cult®
• Pro-Slides™
• Rax and Stax
• EnviroBeads™
• TestOxidase™
• Mucolyse™
• Pro-Loops™

Products and services

• Microbank™ 2D Cryopreservation system for long-term storage and retrieval of bacterial and fungal cultures using treated beads and cryopreservative solution in 2.0 ml vials. Features unique 2D datamatrix GS1-compliant barcoded format with up to 25 years of guaranteed successful storage. Designed for clinical microbiology, biobanking, and research laboratories.
• Prolex™ Latex Agglutination Kits Rapid latex agglutination diagnostic kits using proprietary covalent attachment of antigens/antibodies to carboxylate-modified microparticles (CM-MP) for enhanced stability, result clarity, and faster reactions versus traditional physical-adsorption methods. Detects Streptococci, Staphylococci (including MRSA), E. coli, and Legionella. For clinical microbiology laboratories.
• Proflow™ Lateral Flow Kits Rapid lateral flow immunoassay kits for detecting pathogens across faecal, respiratory, and inflammatory/tumour marker panels. Test methods require no more than two hands-on steps with results readable in 15 minutes. For clinical laboratories performing point-of-care or rapid screening diagnostics.
• Pro-Stains™ Microbiology Stains CE-labelled microbiological staining solutions manufactured in purpose-designed laboratories at the Bromborough site. Range includes Gram stains, acid-fast stains for Mycobacteria, Cryptosporidium stains, Trichomonas stains, and specialty stains, available in ready-to-use and concentrated formats. For clinical microbiology laboratories.
• Vision™ Antisera Comprehensive range of slide agglutination antisera produced to WHO guidelines with 5-year shelf life. Includes Polyvalent and Monovalent Somatic and Flagella Salmonella Antisera, Rapid Salmonella Diagnostic Sera (RSD), Shigella Antisera, E. coli 0157 Antisera, and Clostridia Sera. Includes strategic-alliance-manufactured Salmonella Diagnostic Slide Agglutination antisera via Animal & Plant Health Agency. For clinical and food microbiology laboratories.
• Laboratory Equipment Distribution Benchtop laboratory equipment distributed under exclusive agreements with manufacturers including IUL Instruments, DAS, Benchmark Scientific, Q-Linea (ASTar), NEO Sample Management, and i2a. Covers incubators, shakers, centrifuges, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (ASTar), and sample management systems. Supports clinical microbiology and research laboratories.
• VIASURE® Real Time PCR Detection Kits Lyophilised real-time PCR kits manufactured by CerTest Biotech, distributed exclusively by Pro-Lab Diagnostics in the UK. Cover gastrointestinal, respiratory, vector-borne, tropical, sexual health, antimicrobial resistance, and meningitis panels. Lyophilised format enables room temperature storage with 2-year shelf life. Includes Certest ResisCheck® Carbapenemases (97.3% sensitivity, 100% specificity, IVDR certified). For clinical microbiology laboratories.
• Rabbit Coagulase Plasma Standardised lyophilised rabbit plasma used for qualitative detection of coagulase enzyme produced by Staphylococcus aureus. For clinical microbiology laboratories performing staphylococcal identification.
• Prolisa™ EIA High-quality 96-well plate enzyme immunoassay (EIA) tests for rapid, reliable, and quantitative detection of pathogenic antigens including C. difficile GDH and Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). For clinical microbiology laboratories.
• Direct Fluorescent Antibody Kits Fluorescent antibody reagents for presumptive serological identification of Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1-14 from culture isolates, available in monoclonal and polyclonal formats. For clinical and environmental microbiology laboratories.
• Pro-Cult® First Generation Quality Control Organisms Freeze-dried bacterial and fungal QC cultures sourced exclusively from NCTC® (National Collection of Type Cultures) and NCPF® (National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi) reference strains, guaranteed as first generation with approximately 10⁶–10⁹ viable organisms per disc. UKAS-accredited testing (No. 2496) underpins full traceability. For clinical, food, pharmaceutical, water, and veterinary laboratories.
• COVID-19 Testing Products SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests, antibody tests, lateral flow kits, and PCR detection reagents, including SARS-CoV-2, Flu & RSV combination tests. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pro-Lab supplied over 100,000 testing kits to NHS and healthcare providers. For healthcare institutions.
• Pro-Slides™ QC Slides Quality control slides for Gram, Acid Fast, and Cryptosporidium staining techniques. Manufactured using traceable strains with colour coding, long shelf life, and room temperature storage to satisfy UKAS and ISO requirements. For clinical microbiology laboratories.
• Rax and Stax Laboratory Storage Racks Laboratory storage racks for petri dishes, universal containers, swabs, tubes, and stain bottles. Manufactured from high-quality plastic with 5-year guarantee, variable heights and hole sizes, with ISO 15189-compliant colour coding. For clinical and research laboratories.
• Amniotic Fluid Detection (Amniotest) Rapid swab-based detection kit for amniotic fluid using Amniotest nitrazine yellow swabs for detection of ruptured membranes in maternity and women's health settings. For hospital obstetrics departments.
• Pro-Loops™ and Essentials Microbiology Consumables Core microbiology laboratory consumables including Pro-Loops™ inoculation loops (calibrated and disposable), plastic loops and spreaders, TestOxidase™ cytochrome oxidase testing reagent, indole testing reagents, and Mucolyse™ sputum digestant. For clinical microbiology laboratories.
• EnviroBeads™ Autoclave Deodorant Beads Autoclave deodorant capsules for laboratory waste odour neutralisation. Three natural-fragrance variants (Vanilla, Mimosa, Coconut) using a fully biodegradable formulation. For clinical and research laboratories.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 35 million Microbank™ vials supplied worldwide with guaranteed up to 25 years storage success
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CerTest BiotechcoreTechnology or IntegrationExclusive UK distributor for CerTest's VIASURE real-time PCR detection kits. Partnership spanning over 6 years, bringing molecular diagnostic products to UK market through distributor network across 120+ countries. Also exclusive UK distributor for Certest ResisCheck® carbapenemase detection products.
• Animal & Plant Health AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance for manufacture of Salmonella Diagnostic Slide Agglutination antisera, promoted and distributed by Pro-Lab Group on worldwide basis. Government agency partnership for diagnostic reagent production.
• IUL InstrumentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld-class manufacturer represented by Pro-Lab Diagnostics for diagnostic and research related products.
• DASminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld-class manufacturer represented by Pro-Lab Diagnostics for diagnostic and research related products.
• Benchmark ScientificminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld-class manufacturer represented by Pro-Lab Diagnostics for diagnostic and research related products.
• i2aminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld-class manufacturer represented by Pro-Lab Diagnostics for diagnostic and research related products.
• BioMaximaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPro-Lab Diagnostics now supplies BioMaxima MIC strips and antimicrobial paper discs.
• Q-LineaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLaboratory equipment brand distributed by Pro-Lab Diagnostics including ASTar instrument.
• NEO Sample ManagementminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSample management equipment brand distributed by Pro-Lab Diagnostics.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• bioMérieux: Global leader in clinical microbiology diagnostics (VITEK, BioBall QC organisms, API identification strips). Directly comparable to Pro-Lab across culture storage, identification, and antimicrobial resistance testing categories.
• Mast Group: UK-based manufacturer of microbiology diagnostic products including culture media, identification systems, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and molecular reagents. Closest UK-based direct peer to Pro-Lab Diagnostics.
• Hardy Diagnostics: US-based manufacturer and distributor of microbiology products including culture media, QC organisms, stains, and diagnostic reagents. Closely comparable niche specialty IVD manufacturer/distributor to Pro-Lab.
• Liofilchem: Italian manufacturer of microbiology and clinical diagnostic products including antimicrobial susceptibility discs (which Pro-Lab now distributes via BioMaxima), identification strips, and staining reagents. Direct comparable to Pro-Lab's reagent portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• bio-Rad Laboratories: Large diversified life science company with microbiology QC organisms (LyfoCult/MicroBioLogics), staining reagents, and molecular diagnostics that overlap with Pro-Lab's QC organism, stain, and EIA product lines.
• Hologic: Major diagnostics company with Panther molecular system and significant microbiology/STD testing presence. Competes at the broader molecular diagnostics level with Pro-Lab's PCR product range.
• Becton Dickinson (BD Diagnostics): Major IVD incumbent with extensive microbiology product lines including diagnostic systems, reagents, and QC organisms. Competes with Pro-Lab across clinical microbiology workflows.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Microbiology / Oxoid): Operates the Oxoid brand for culture media and microbiological reagents, plus Remel diagnostic products. Overlaps Pro-Lab across microbiology stains, antisera, QC organisms, and culture storage.

Emerging players

• CerTest Biotech: Spanish manufacturer of VIASURE® lyophilised real-time PCR detection kits distributed exclusively in the UK by Pro-Lab. Overlaps with Pro-Lab's molecular diagnostics offering and is both a partner and adjacent peer.

Regional players

• Copan Diagnostics: Italy-headquartered manufacturer of microbiology specimen collection and transport systems, with strong European presence. Adjacent peer in clinical microbiology sample handling and laboratory consumables.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pro-lab-diagnostics-uk

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK