700589Histocyte Laboratories LtdClosedGRD Proof of MarketInnovate UKHistoCyte Laboratories Ltd is developing, manufacturing and commercialising analyte controls for same slide use in immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridisation. These assays are performed in pathology laboratories globally on patient samples mounted on microscope slides. The analyte control is designed to be used on the same slide in order to demonstrate that the assay has worked appropriately. While these are not a diagnostic they do confer diagnostic confidence to the pathologist. Currently laboratories use either batch controls, which are not applicable as slides are treated individually or inappropriate material is employed. The most frequently used material is tissue, which while useful, is finite and often prone to variation as an artefact of how it is fixed and processed. The use of cancer cells with known levels of markers as analyte controls means provision of an inexhaustible and standardised material is possible. In this project HistoCyte Laboratories Ltd intends to investigate the market need for an analyte control for markers used in the assessment of colorectal cancer. Conducting voice of customer and market analysis will allow us to validate that there is a market need for this product and a commercial justification to enter into development.