Marks & Clerk extends its heartfelt congratulations DnaNudge, the developer of pioneering genetics technology repurposed to test for COVID-19, on being awarded The Royal Academy of Engineering’s 2021 MacRobert Award.
DnaNudge’s technology was initially developed to map the user’s genetic profile to key nutrition-related health traits such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol. Customers can then use their wearable DnaBand and mobile app to scan products while they shop and be guided by their DNA towards healthier choices. In response to the pandemic, the technology has been rapidly adapted into a gold-standard, 90-minute lab-free RT-PCR test for COVID-19 and is now in use in NHS hospitals, care homes, and supporting the return of the arts sector.
Hailed as ‘the Nobel Prize for engineering’, the MacRobert Award is the UK’s longest-running and most prestigious prize for engineering innovation and recognises outstanding innovation, tangible societal benefit and proven commercial success.
Marks & Clerk has provided patent, trade mark design support for DnaNudge since it was established in 2015. “It's been great to partner with DnaNudge since their inception over 5 years ago and especially exciting to work with them as they repurposed their technology in response to COVID-19. With huge investments (and often lives) at stake, and fierce competition to get products to market in the Medical Technology sector, getting your IP in place quickly and effectively is vital. We are enormously proud to have been on this journey with DnaNudge and send them our congratulations on the occasion of this momentous win.” said Marks & Clerk Partner, Robert Lind.