UpFront Diagnostics has entered the final phase of clinical evaluation for its flagship diagnostic device, LVOne, a rapid point-of-care blood test designed to identify one of the most severe types of stroke: Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO).
The ongoing study represents a significant step forward in improving early stroke triage and bringing this Cambridge-born innovation closer to widespread clinical adoption across the UK NHS.
Solving a Critical Diagnostic Challenge in Stroke Care
Each year, more than 20 million people suffer a stroke globally. Around 30% of strokes are LVOs, caused by blood clots blocking major brain arteries. While treatable through mechanical thrombectomy, LVOs are responsible for 95% of stroke-related deaths and long-term disabilities due to delays in diagnosis and access to specialist care.
Traditional diagnosis relies on brain imaging, which limits detection to hospitals — often too late for effective treatment. The LVOne test offers a breakthrough by enabling pre-hospital and bedside identification of LVOs in minutes, using just a finger-prick blood sample.
The RADAR Study: A Major NHS-Led Clinical Trial
The final clinical evaluation of LVOne is being carried out under the Rapid Assay Diagnostic for Acute Stroke Recognition (RADAR) study, led by the Newcastle University Stroke Research Group in collaboration with NHS hospitals across Northern England.
The trial involves more than 500 patients and is being conducted at:
- Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital
- Royal Victoria Infirmary
- University Hospital of North Durham
- Royal Blackburn Hospital
Supported by SBRI Healthcare, NIHR Clinical Research Network, and Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria, the study marks the first time LVOne is being used in NHS emergency settings with real patients presenting stroke symptoms.
“Each year in the UK there are approximately 15,000 LVO stroke patients suitable for thrombectomy. The RADAR study will provide essential information about how accurately and quickly the LVOne test can identify these patients.”
— Professor Christopher Price, Stroke Research Lead, Newcastle University
“If our research confirms the test’s accuracy, it could reduce delays and improve recovery from the devastating effects of severe stroke.”
— Prof. Price
UpFront Diagnostics: From Cambridge to Clinics
Founded in 2017 by University of Cambridge students, UpFront Diagnostics has grown from an academic spinout to a leading innovator in stroke diagnostics. After securing £1.6 million in funding, the company scaled its technology and prepared LVOne for clinical rollout.
“We are excited to pioneer a change in stroke management worldwide,”
— Gonzalo Ladreda, Co-founder and CEO, UpFront Diagnostics
“After years of development, we’re now entering the final trials before commercialisation. Our mission remains clear: increase access to thrombectomy and save lives.”
LVOne offers fast, reliable stroke detection when every second counts.
With this NHS-backed evaluation underway, we’re moving closer to ensuring patients receive life-saving treatment as quickly as possible.
