Last week, the India-Scotland Business Meet 2025 in Edinburgh marked a significant step in enhancing trade, investment, and innovation between the two regions. Organised by the Consulate General of India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Scottish Development International. The event brought together key industry leaders, policymakers, and businesses to explore new opportunities for collaboration.

At Microbira, we were delighted to attend and engage in discussions on life sciences, technology, and renewable energy. These sectors present major growth opportunities for businesses in both India and Scotland, with shared expertise in biotechnology, sustainable solutions, and digital transformation.

Fostering Stronger Trade Partnerships

With over 40 Scottish companies participating, the event provided a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and strategic partnerships. India’s rapid economic growth and Scotland’s leadership in research and development create an ideal environment for mutual investment and expansion.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes highlighted the importance of strengthening business connections, ensuring that companies on both sides benefit from regional trade agreements and collaborative ventures. Scotland’s booming life sciences sector, in particular, aligns well with India’s expanding pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Microbira’s Takeaways from the Event

For Microbira, the business meet reinforced the importance of regional collaboration in fostering sustainable economic growth. Our discussions with industry leaders focused on market expansion, investment opportunities, and research-driven innovation. The event also provided insights into Scotland’s strategic initiatives to enhance trade relations with India.

A detailed analysis of these growing business ties can be found in The Scotsman’s coverage of the event: India and Scotland ramp up regional approach to business ties.

Looking Ahead

The India-Scotland Business Meet 2025 set the stage for deeper economic ties, fostering new trade routes, joint ventures, and cross-border innovation. Microbira looks forward to building on these connections and driving impactful collaborations in the years ahead.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore new opportunities in India-Scotland business partnerships!

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Microbira at the 9th AMR Conferece, BAsel, Switzerland, 25-36th Feb 2025

Last week, we had the privilege of attending the AMR Conference in Basel. A key gathering of experts, innovators, and healthcare professionals dedicated to tackling antimicrobial resistance. The event brought together everyone from SMEs, to leading pharmaceutical companies, academia, as well as public institutions to explore strategies and address the unique challenges within the innovation ecosystem in developing and bringing new antimicrobial treatments and diagnostics to market. 

Reflection

Microbira was proud to contribute to these discussions, with our CEO, Marianne Ismail, presenting in the Technology Corner – Diagnostics Session. The presentation focused on Combating AMR with Rapid and Reagent-Free Fluconazole Resistance Detection Using MAAP-IR. The presentation highlighted how our MAAP-IR software is revolutionising the way fluconazole resistance is detected. By using reagent-free FTIR spectroscopy combined with AI algorithms, our technology enables rapid, precise identification of fluconazole-resistant in under 5 minutes. Furthermore, this innovation is a novel step in optimising antifungal stewardship and improving patient outcomes. 

CEO quote:

“One of the best features of the AMR conference in Basel is its size. It is well attended and well organised and there is lots of space for meetings and discussions. It was great to see diagnostics featuring strongly.   

Several speakers made the point that there needs to be a focus on the substantial costs in patient care of NOT using diagnostics to optimise timely treatments and prevent more AMR. Promotion of diagnostics through measurements of their role in downstream impacts is a key step-in longer-term cost saving through avoiding patients becoming in-patients and shorter patient stays in hospitals.  

For LMICs accessibility of low-cost diagnostics is recognised as essential in the AMR battle.” 

Conclusion

In summary, the conference underscored the urgency of AMR and the need for collaborative efforts across industries. From discussions on novel drug development to improving diagnostic pathways, there was a clear message. Innovation, investment, and strategic partnerships are essential in the fight of rising AMR. 

In addition, attending the AMR Conference reinforced our commitment to providing cutting-edge diagnostic solutions that support antimicrobial stewardship. We are excited to continue engaging with partners across healthcare, pharma, and research to drive meaningful change in AMR detection and management. We extend our thanks to BEAM Alliance and also bamconn GmbH for organising the conference and the opportunity to present and network. Microbira are already looking forward to next year’s event.   

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Microbira: honouring Women in Science: Celebrating Innovation, Leadership, and Impact in Microbiology

Today, on the 10th anniversary of International Women in Science Day 2025, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of women to scientific advancement across the globe. From laboratories to boardrooms, women are driving innovation and inspiring generations to follow in their footsteps.  

At Microbira, we’re proud to honour their achievements. We remain committed to fostering a culture that supports and uplifts women in STEM. Women in science are at the forefront of tackling global challenges, from advancing healthcare to addressing antimicrobial resistance. Their contributions ensure that groundbreaking technologies, like our own MAAP-IR platform, continue to evolve and benefit communities worldwide. 

At Microbira, women play a critical role in our mission to revolutionise microorganism identification through innovative diagnostics. Our CEO, Marianne Ismail, leads with vision and determination. She inspires her team to push boundaries and create solutions that make a difference.  

We’re also proud to highlight the work of Lisa Lam. She is a key contributor to our research and development efforts. Lisa’s expertise in microbiology and spectroscopy has been instrumental in the development of our groundbreaking MAAP-IR platform, which delivers rapid, reagent-free, and affordable diagnostics. 

Women like Marianne and Lisa exemplify the impact of diversity and representation in STEM fields. Yet, the gender gap remains a challenge, with women accounting for only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and maths globally. It’s crucial that we continue to support initiatives that inspire and enable women to pursue careers in STEM. Learn more about Marianne and Lisa and their journeys on our About Us page. 

As we celebrate Women in Science Day, let us not only honour these trailblazers but also commit to building a future where opportunities in science are accessible to all

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Join us in welcoming our new team member Azeem. 

Azeem brings 20+ years of commercial experience to us here at Microbira Ltd in sales, distribution, and project management. Azeem’s career has equipped him with a diverse skill set as well as an understanding of the Pathology market. Before his commercial experience he started gaining experience in Clinical Cellular Pathology as a Laboratory Technician at Nottingham City Hospital, and moved quickly into the commercial world where he has held various roles including Account Manager, Product Specialist, Senior Key Account Manager covering UK, IRE & Northern Europe markets and ultimately transitioned to UK Sales Manager covering the UK with a small team of sales people.

Azeem having a background in Applied Sciences, working in Clinical Cellular Pathology and commercially learning Microbiology gives him a great technical foundation, combined with his extensive commercial experience, positions him uniquely to understand both the scientific and business aspects of our industry.

Azeem is excited to leverage all of his previous experiences across various countries and regions.  He is enthusiastic about collaborating and working on a global scale. He is not only passionate about but deeply committed to supporting customers and understanding their needs first to work towards mutual success and ensuring they achieve dependable results for their patients.

“I’m very much looking forward to building on all my experiences and collaborating with my customers.  Joining Microbira Ltd presents not only new opportunities to drive initiatives and foster collaborations within global networks, but allows me to develop and nature new business in a way that truly brings patient outcomes faster and fills the gaps with customer’s challenges in identification.  I very much look forward to making meaning impact for customers but also to their patients too” Azeem shared.

In his new role, Azeem will be very active in the Clinical, Veterinary, and Research markets. He is eager to represent Microbira Ltd at key industry events this year, including BSMT, WMA, SMA & IBMS Congress, where he will connect with customers in-person. For those unable to attend these events, Azeem is looking forward to engaging with you online.

We are confident that Azeem’s expertise and dedication will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Azeem Hanif, our new Business Development & Marketing Manager.

Feel free to reach out to Azeem to discuss any opportunities or collaborations. He is eager to connect and work towards shared success.

Keep up to date with our latest news and everts on our news page. 

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On 19th November 2024, Microbira’s CEO, Marianne Ismail, attended the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Life Sciences meeting. This prestigious event, held at the Scottish Parliament, was convened by Kenneth Gibson MSP to unite life sciences leaders. Importantly, the meeting provided a platform to discuss critical advancements and strategies for tackling global health challenges.

Throughout the evening, insightful presentations from renowned experts fostered engaging discussions on key health and environmental issues. For instance, Professor Deborah Williamson presented the Pathogen Genomics Strategy Plan, focusing on infectious disease management and innovative solutions. Additionally, Professor Tim Aitman introduced the One Health Genomics Edinburgh Community, addressing biodiversity loss and antimicrobial resistance. Together, these talks explored advancing pathogen-agnostic public health services to meet urgent global needs.

Of particular relevance to Microbira was the presentation by Dr Poonam Malik and Dr Stuart Hannah. Their research highlighted rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing as a means to improve antimicrobial prescriptions. This innovation closely aligns with Microbira’s mission of advancing cutting-edge diagnostics and sustainable healthcare solutions.

Moreover, Marianne Ismail’s attendance demonstrates Microbira’s commitment to engaging with Scotland’s dynamic life sciences sector. By participating in this important forum, the company underscores its dedication to collaboration and meaningful innovation. These efforts reflect its ongoing contributions to both medical research and public health.

As the life sciences community continues to evolve, such events play a crucial role in fostering knowledge sharing and action. Microbira’s presence at the CPG meeting reinforces its position as a leader in diagnostics and biotechnology. With each engagement, the company further establishes itself as a forward-thinking innovator shaping the future of sustainable healthcare.

By maintaining its focus on collaboration, Microbira remains committed to addressing today’s pressing global health challenges.

Visit our product page for more information on MAAP-IR.

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Last week, during AMR Awareness Week, global efforts focused on raising awareness about this urgent public health challenge. AMR develops when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites evolve to resist medicines, making infections harder to treat. Consequently, this increases the risk of severe illness, prolonged recovery, and higher mortality rates.

Throughout the week, experts emphasised antimicrobial stewardship as a critical strategy to combat AMR effectively. Accurate identification of microorganisms was highlighted as the essential first step in this effort. Microbira’s MAAP-IR Solution demonstrated its ability to revolutionise diagnostics with its innovative approach. This tool combines reagent-free FTIR spectroscopy and proprietary AI algorithms to identify bacteria and clinical yeasts in just five minutes post-culture.

By providing fast and precise results, the MAAP-IR solution enables clinicians to prescribe the correct treatment more quickly. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces antibiotic misuse, slowing the spread of resistance. Healthcare providers benefit from the simplicity and efficiency of the platform, which supports better decision-making.

Last week also underscored the importance of collaboration across healthcare, research, and innovation to tackle AMR comprehensively. Without these combined efforts, life-saving treatments may become less effective in the future.

As we reflect on AMR Awareness Week, building on this momentum is crucial. With shared commitment and innovative solutions, we can address the global challenge of AMR. Together, we can protect the effectiveness of antibiotics and safeguard public health for future generations.

Visit our product page for more information on MAAP-IR.

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Microbira is excited to announce that we have progressed to the second stage of SBRI Healthcare’s Competition 25: Accelerating Innovations to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)!  This prestigious competition seeks groundbreaking technologies to address critical challenges in AMR, a significant threat to public health identified as a priority in the NHS Long Term Plan

SBRI Healthcare’s Competition 25 focuses on four key areas:

1. Point of care diagnostics, monitoring, and susceptibility testing
2. Prescribing decision support and risk stratification
3. Novel care delivery methods
4. Infection prevention and control (IPC)

Our project aims to enhance diagnostic processes by leveraging existing NHS pathways, thereby improving accessibility and equity in healthcare. By focusing on point-of-care diagnostics and decision support, we strive to provide clinicians with rapid, accurate tools to combat AMR effectively.

Advancing to the second stage signifies a significant milestone for Microbira. It reflects our commitment to innovation and our dedication to addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. We are optimistic about the opportunity to further this project and make a lasting impact on diagnostics within healthcare systems.

Fingers crossed as we await the results—we’re optimistic about the opportunity to further this project and make a lasting impact on diagnostics in healthcare systems. Stay tuned on our news page for updates!

Visit our product page for more information on MAAP-IR.

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Microbira was honored to participate in the Women’s Health Event hosted in Edinburgh on 12th September. The event was in collaboration with Burness Paull and the Scottish Life Sciences Association and featured a strong lineup of speakers. It addressed advancements in reproductive medicine, pharmaceutical innovations, menopause research, and the role of diversity and inclusion in corporate settings.

Engaging Insights and Expert Contributions

The discussions offered invaluable insights from industry-leading experts on women’s health. Following this, we extend our gratitude to the organisers, for creating such an impactful forum. Guests heard presentations and participated in a panel discussion featuring notable figures like Dr Janet Halliday, former Associate Vice President of Ferring, and Shonagh Walker, Head of Pharmaceutical Development at Ferring Controlled Therapeutics. Other speakers included Dr Sigi Joseph, GP Partner and co-founder of The Doctor Explains, and Andrew Horne, Director of the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh.

Championing Women’s Health

In conculsion, Microbira is proud to support initiatives that highlight the importance of investment in women’s health. We thank Burness Paull and the Scottish Life Sciences Association for hosting this impactful event. Despite being a critical area of healthcare, products addressing women’s needs often receive less funding. This event demonstrated the exciting developments  for women’s health in Scotland that have the potential to transform lives through world-class innovation and expertise.

Keep up to date on our news page for more updates and initiatives. Together, we can drive transformative advancements in healthcare, ensuring better outcomes worldwide.

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In June 2024, Microbira participated in Innovate UK’s Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) focused on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in India. This initiative allowed us to engage directly with India’s dynamic AMR ecosystem, including innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders. We aim to strengthen partnerships and share expertise to address the global AMR challenge.

The GBIP operates in three stages: preparing businesses for international markets, facilitating in-country visits to meet key partners, and providing post-visit support to leverage new relationships. This structured approach enhances our understanding of India’s healthcare landscape and identifies collaboration opportunities.

During our visit, we connected with stakeholders across government, academia, and commerce, gaining insights into India’s strategies against AMR. These interactions are crucial for adapting our solutions to meet local needs and contribute effectively to global health initiatives.

Our participation in GBIP India 2024 aligns with our commitment to combating AMR through innovation and international collaboration. By engaging with global partners, we aim to develop and implement effective diagnostic tools that address the complexities of AMR.

We are optimistic about the potential collaborations and advancements stemming from this programme. Our focus remains on leveraging these opportunities to enhance our contributions to global health.

Stay tuned for updates on our journey and insights from this initiative. For more information on our diagnostic solutions, visit our product page to learn about MAAP-IR and its role in combating antimicrobial resistance.

Visit our product page for more information on MAAP-IR.

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We are very excited to announce our selection and participation in Innovate UK’s Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) in Switzerland.  This initiative focused on Antimicrobial Resistance and brought together leading UK companies to collaborate with Swiss counterparts. They specialise in diagnostics, therapeutics, preventatives, and vaccines 

Switzerland’s robust life sciences sector, particularly in the Basel region, is home to over 800 companies. The Swiss approach to combating AMR emphasizes a One Health strategy. It integrates human, animal, and environmental health to address this global challenge comprehensively.

During the five-day innovation visit, our delegation engaged in a series of activities designed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange. We participated in the 9th AMR Conference in Basel, which provided a platform to connect with key stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders. This conference is renowned for addressing novel antimicrobials and AMR diagnostics. It aligns perfectly with our mission to advance rapid microorganism identification solutions.

GBIP structure

This is comprised of three main stages:

1. Get Ready. A preparatory workshop in the UK to build market knowledge and understand cultural aspects of doing business in Switzerland.

2. Visit the Market. A five-day innovation visit to Switzerland, including meetings with key companies, research organizations, and participation in the AMR Conference.

3. Exploit the Opportunity. A follow-up workshop and ongoing support from an Innovate UK innovation and growth specialist to maximize the opportunities identified during the visit.

Our involvement in this programme has been instrumental in expanding our international collaborations. It will also enhance our understanding of global AMR strategies. Engaging with Switzerland’s leading experts and institutions equips us to develop innovative diagnostics that address antimicrobial resistance complexities.

Future

We remain committed to leveraging these insights to advance our MAAP-IR technology, aiming to provide rapid and accurate microorganism identification to healthcare providers worldwide. This experience underscores our dedication to combating AMR through international collaboration and innovation.will

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