CyteCount
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CyteCount
Accelerated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Device
Strategy & Research . Industrial Design . CGI Visualisation . Business Support
Translating Lab-Proven Technology into an Optimised Solution Ready for Industry Adoption
Cytecom partnered with Smallfry to take the next step towards transforming their lab-proven method of time-lapse microscopy into a high-throughput diagnostic platform that will meet the demands for industry adoption.
While the core science was proven, the challenge was ensuring the system architecture, workflow, and user experience were optimised for real hospital laboratory environments, reducing development risk and strengthening the pathway to regulatory and commercial progression.
Through Smallfry’s structured and insight-led development process, we ultimately delivered the final concept and block model, establishing the direction for development of the CyteCount system into a commercial product designed to work in fast-paced labs.
Smallfry’s design work allowed Cytecom to introduce the device to the public and give new investors a glimpse into the ambition for the product’s development and the future of the company.
“Smallfry delivered fresh ideas and creative angles that added real value to our project. Their input has helped shape a strong, user-focused foundation for our product.”
Dr Magdalena Karlikowska, Cytecom’s CEO
From Benchtop to Market-Ready Solution
Cytecom’s patented Optical Electrophysiology technology measures changes in bacterial and fungal membrane potential in response to antibiotics, using fluorescent microscopy and electrical stimulation to deliver antimicrobial susceptibility results in as little as 45 seconds.
For diagnostic platforms operating in highly regulated and competitive environments, product architecture, workflow integration and scalability are critical.
Smallfry worked alongside Cytecom to translate the technology from an R&D prototype into a system design proposal for a commercial, market-ready solution; optimised to integrate seamlessly into the hospital-laboratory environment.
Engineering Speed Across the Entire Workflow
Bloodstream infections and sepsis account for around 20% of global deaths, with antimicrobial resistance continuing to increase clinical complexity. Whilst new rapid detection technology is essential, only solutions that can effectively integrate into existing laboratories will deliver real-world results.
Laboratory teams operate within strict spatial, procedural and time constraints, so new platforms must deliver improved outcomes without increasing cognitive load, process friction or training burden.
Designing for the laboratory required engineering speed across the entire workflow, from sample preparation through to result interpretation.
Designing for Real-World Labs
We immersed ourselves in hospital laboratory environments to understand workflow pressures, spatial constraints and adoption barriers. Observational research and stakeholder engagement revealed critical factors including bench space limitations, biosafety protocols, technician shift patterns and data handling requirements.
We established a structured, insight-led development framework, aligning stakeholders around a shared product vision and mapping the complete end-to-end process from sample preparation to result output. Detailed workflow and throughput models identified inefficiencies, reduced user interactions and minimised error risk.
By restructuring the system architecture around real laboratory routines, we transformed a complex scientific instrument into an intuitive, operationally efficient diagnostic platform, reducing development uncertainty and strengthening the pathway to adoption.
High Throughput for Fast-Paced Labs
The new CyteCount system will prepare and analyse ten patient samples in under ninety minutes, offering significant improvement versus current methods and thus commercial viability for clinical labs.
Efficiency is maximised through streamlined workflows, reduced interaction points and a process structure aligned with laboratory shift cycles. By minimising complexity and clarifying user interaction, the system reduces training burden and supports consistent operation in high-pressure environments.
Looking Ahead: Cytecom’s Next Chapter
With a clearly defined product architecture and user-focused foundation in place, Cytecom has progressed to pre-clinical testing, secured investment, and deployed research-use devices to several labs for validation.
The structured development pathway established during this collaboration strengthened investor confidence and created a scalable foundation for future product iterations.
By translating the needs of the business, clinical staff, and the healthcare industry to design the next generation of high-throughput diagnostic testing for sepsis patients, Smallfry supported Cytecom’s transition from lab-proven innovation towards a brand and business with the commercial opportunity for sustainable market growth.
“Thanks to this support, we are now positioned to bring our rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing solutions to market sooner, improving patient outcomes and supporting the fight against antimicrobial resistance.”
Dr Magdalena Karlikowska, Cytecom’s CEO
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