Published: 11th May 2026 - All information correct at time of publication.
We are proud to announce the expansion of our partnership with iFAST Diagnostics as its first commercial laboratory partner in the UK.
Following validation earlier this year, our work with iFAST will focus on integrating rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) into our laboratory workflows, and on developing the evidence healthcare organisations and NHS decision-makers need to support adoption at scale.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a major threat to human health. In England alone, healthcare professionals see approximately 400 new reported case of antibiotic-resistant infections every week. Globally, 1 in 6 bacterial infections are now resistant to treatment, and this figure is rising.[1]
Delivering a correct diagnosis quickly is crucial to beating antimicrobial resistance. iFAST’s technology delivers results in less than three hours, a significant improvement on the usual turnaround time of 72 hours, and this speed enables fast, well informed treatment decisions at the point they matter most for patients.
The new partnership agreement between SYNLAB UK & Ireland and iFAST will build on our existing programme of shared research evaluation. The iFAST system research evaluation will continue with Southwest Pathology Services (SPS), while the iFAST ONE AST system will be rolled out for routine clinical use.
This partnership reflects our commitment to translating advances in diagnostic science into real-world impact, improving patient care while supporting effective antimicrobial stewardship.
SYNLAB UK & Ireland has been working with iFAST since before the company formed in 2023, when the team were based at Southampton University, and I am delighted that our partnership is continuing. This collaboration has big potential impact on the fight against antimicrobial resistance and in effective care for the patients of tomorrow.
Professor Dominic Harrington, Chief Scientific Officer, SYNLAB UK & Ireland
The extension of this valued partnership demonstrates strong commitment by SYNLAB to game changing innovation. Our shared goals to significantly slow the spread of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) are one step closer to being realised.
Dr Toby King, CEO, iFAST Diagnostics
[1] UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), ESPAUR Report / AMR surveillance data (2024–2025) / World Health Organization (WHO), Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) Report 2025
