Building practical diagnostics for faster treatment decisions
Llusern Scientific is a UK diagnostics company developing treatment-directing diagnostics that bring rapid molecular testing closer to the patient. The company’s first focus is UTI. Its first product, the Lodestar UTI testing system, combines Lodestar DX – Llusern’s proprietary testing platform – with a UTI test panel designed for near-patient use by professional users.
Why Llusern exists
Many treatment decisions are still made before clear diagnostic information is available. Llusern was created to make rapid, accurate diagnostics more accessible, supporting faster treatment decisions and more responsible antibiotic use.
The company is focused on practical molecular testing systems that can work in real-world professional settings, not just central laboratory environments.
Starting with UTI
UTI is a common, recurring diagnostic challenge where faster information can make a meaningful difference.
The Lodestar UTI testing system is Llusern’s first product focus. It is designed to detect six key UTI-causing bacterial pathogens from a small urine sample, helping professional users access clearer diagnostic information sooner.
- Clear first product focus
- Rapid UTI testing
- Near-patient molecular testing
- Designed for professional users
- Relevant across human and veterinary settings
From award-backed science to a market-facing product
Llusern’s technology has its roots in award-backed innovation focused on antimicrobial resistance.
In 2016, Dr Emma Hayhurst and Dr Jeroen Nieuwland received a Discovery Award from the Longitude Prize and Nesta to develop an affordable diagnostic tool to help combat antibiotic resistance. This support helped lead to the development of Llusern’s UTI test panel and Lodestar DX platform .
Founded in Pontypridd, Wales in 2020, Llusern has since progressed from early scientific innovation to a defined near-patient molecular testing system with a clear first use case: UTI .
Designed for real-world adoption
Llusern’s focus is not only on the science. It is on making molecular testing practical for professional users.
The Lodestar UTI testing system is built around speed, portability and simplicity, with a device-plus-consumables model and recurring test panel potential.
- Portable molecular testing platform
- UTI test panel first
- Device-plus-consumables opportunity
- Professional healthcare and veterinary relevance
- Broader platform potential over time
Meet the people behind Llusern
Llusern brings together scientific, clinical, technical, regulatory, operational and commercial expertise. The team combines molecular diagnostics knowledge with practical product development, clinical insight and commercial focus.
Explore some of the people helping Llusern build accessible diagnostics for faster, better-informed treatment decisions.
Martyn Lewis
Dr Emma Hayhurst
Mr Bob Yang
Laurence Tisi
Dr Jeroen Nieuwland
Mark Preston
Dr Gary Dowthwaite
Joanna Diggle
Focused today. Built for broader potential.
Llusern is starting with rapid UTI testing because it is a clear, recurring diagnostic need.
Over time, the wider opportunity is to apply the Lodestar platform to other treatment-directing diagnostics where faster decisions matter.
Testimonials
Lodestar DX represents an important step in making molecular UTI testing practical at the point where treatment decisions are made.
By bringing clearer diagnostic information closer to the patient, it can support faster, better-informed decisions in real-world professional settings.
As a spinal injury patient, new symptoms feel overwhelming. Lodestar gave me instant peace of mind. I drove two hours to Reading just to avoid the usual three day wait for culture results. It is brilliant.
For months, my NHS results came back as ‘mixed growth’ or ‘no significant growth’, which basically left me with no treatment plan and I felt fobbed off; it was such a waste of everyone’s time.
The Lodestar machine identified the specific three bacteria immediately. I wish I’d come here sooner; it’s the first time I’ve had a definitive answer and I’ve felt empowered.
News & Insights
- Awards
- Clinical Studies
- Appointments
Llusern bags a hat-trick at ICS 2026.
Two abstracts published in The Journal of Urology.
Llusern announces changes to Exec team and new NED
Start a commercial conversation
Llusern has a clear first product, a focused diagnostic need and a device-plus-consumables opportunity with relevance across human and veterinary settings.
To learn more about the company, Lodestar and the opportunity ahead, speak to the Llusern team.