Improving outcomes and combating AMR by giving the best drug every time
iFAST is addressing the $4bn (& growing) Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) market.
We have a test that is up to 10x faster and cheaper than the gold standard, delivering results in 4 hours for urine samples and 8 hours for sepsis, saving lives and reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Spectacular results
with our first two hospital evaluations!
We are thrilled with the outcome of our first two hospital evaluations with our iFAST demonstrator platform – the results are spectacular! Both trials were comparing the iFAST technology with the hospital current standard of care (disk diffusion), using patient blood samples.

The Problem
Bacteria are increasingly resistant to antibiotics – resistance levels are 20% - 98% and unpredictable. Current Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) takes 48 -72 hours – patients deteriorate whilst waiting for the correct drug.
Prescribing inappropriate antibiotics leads to the spread of resistant infections, sepsis and death
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) caused over 1 million deaths in 2019 – more than malaria or AIDS

iFAST reduces AST test time from 48+ to 4 hours
Blood/urine sample Incubated
Sample incubated for
a few hours then exposed to
range of antibiotics
Test itself takes
30 seconds
After a further 1 hour incubation, reader scans 5,000 individual bacteria
RESISTANT/
SUSCEPTIBLE Output
optimum antibiotic for clinician to prescribe
The Benefits of iFAST
Speed
Results in only 4 hours (urine)
– 8 hours (blood) from raw sample
High throughput
Each reader performs
> 100 tests/day
Cost
Cheaper than current
gold standard methods
Small lab footprint
Reader is only 600x600mm
and fits neatly on a lab bench
Each sample analysed in less than a minute
The electrical properties of single bacteria are measured at high speed in a microfluidic chip.

Experienced and committed team

Dr Toby King
CEO
Toby joined iFAST as CEO in 2022 after spending the last 25 years building and running early stage medtech companies in the UK and Silicon Valley. He has raised over £20m in funding and had 5 successful exits along the way. He has a first degree and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, from the University of Cambridge. When not working for iFAST he can be found helping charities that encourage young people into STEM, or playing and coaching water polo.

Prof Hywel Morgan
CTO
Hywel is CTO of iFAST and is a co-inventor of the technology. He has a first degree in Electronic Engineering and PhD in biophysics. He has spent 35 years in academia and has worked closely with industry throughout his career. He enjoys travelling, hiking and playing the piano. In 2021 he was awarded an MBE for services to Biomedical Engineering.

Dr Dan Spencer
VP Engineering
Daniel co-invented the iFAST technology and is Vice President of Engineering. He has a first class degree in Electronic Engineering and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Southampton. He brings over 10 years experience in microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technology to the iFAST team. Outside work he keeps fit cycling & running, and enjoys learning practical skills during his house renovation project.

Prof Mark Sutton
Advisory Board Chair
Mark is currently acting CSO for iFAST, Scientific Leader at UKHSA Porton Down and Professor for Antimicrobial Therapy at King’s College London. After a PhD from the John Innes Institute in Norwich, he has spent more than 30 years developing new interventions, based on plant/microbial products or to address challenges related to healthcare infections and antimicrobial resistance. He enjoys walking and is often found providing a taxi service to three growing children.
Research Systems available NOW, with clinical systems expected to launch next year.
To find out more
If you would like find out more please send us
an email and we will get in touch.
Find our presentation, nature paper below & synopsis for hospitals below.
Latest News

Bacteria zapped in a fight with antibiotic resistance.
New spinout from University of Southampton is seeking to help solve one of the biggest threats to world health: antibiotic resistance
Latest Videos
Watch iFAST video - 3.5 mins
Watch iFAST video - 49 secs
Upcoming Events

On 16-17 November 2023 the sixth edition of ‘Emerging Antimicrobials and Diagnostics in AMR’ will take place at the iconic ‘De Bazel’ in the city centre of Amsterdam! Emerging Antimicrobials and Diagnostics in AMR (EADA) is the place where key players in research, business and funding of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), come together with the aim to stimulate the development of antimicrobials and diagnostics for the global fight against AMR.
16.05 – 16th November
iFAST – High-throughput, cost-effective AST in 3 hours – Clinical data
Presented by Dr Toby King, CEO iFAST Diagnostics
All Upcoming Events
Conference | Dates | Location |
---|---|---|
Basel AMR Conference | 6-7 March 2024 | Basel |
ECCMID 2024 | 27-30 April 2024 | Barcelona |
American Society of Microbiology | 13-17 June 2024 | Atlanta |
World AMR Conference | 4-5 September 2024 | Philadelphia |
