MANCHESTER, England, May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
The laboratory that hit the headlines for selling a DNA test on the high street has been honoured by the Queen.
AlphaBiolabs, whose DNA testing kits can be found on the shelves of Home Bargains, has won a Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation for developing a fast DNA testing method which provides accurate results the next working day.
Based in Warrington, Cheshire, AlphaBiolabs started selling paternity home testing kits though the popular discount retail chain Home Bargains just over 18 months ago. The DIY testing kit proved to be a big hit and more than 3,000 have been sold so far, boosting the company's profits by over £500,000.
We are pleased to confirm that the laboratory has more than just good sales figures to celebrate. The Queen's Awards scheme is regarded as the UK's most prestigious business awards and winners are invited to a prestigious reception at Buckingham Palace in July.
Company director Rachel Davenport said: "We are delighted to have won a Queen's Award for Enterprise and so pleased that our efforts to offer fast, accurate DNA testing have been recognised. We offer results the next working day as standard, which is the fastest in the world. We recognise that taking the decision to undertake a DNA test could be one of the most important decisions a person can take. We understand that it can be a stressful and anxious time for our customers and once the samples are collected they are keen to receive the result as quickly as possible.
With this in mind, over the past few years we have innovated to bring the cost of DNA testing down whilst improving on speed and quality. We are very proud to be leading the industry in this way."
People who buy an AlphaBiolabs home testing kit from Home Bargains collect their own samples before sending them in to the laboratory for analysis. For an additional laboratory fee, they can then receive accurate DNA results the day after the samples are received for testing.
Developing a DNA test which can be bought off the shelf was an industry first for AlphaBiolabs, who realised that many customers wanted a kit they could pick up and buy instead of having to order online. The AlphaBiolabs test is available at 290 Home Bargains stores nationwide and can be used to confirm paternity, maternity, sibling and other family relationships.
In addition to its partnership with Home Bargains, AlphaBiolabs is also the only laboratory trusted by the Jeremy Kyle Show to carry out paternity and DNA tests for the popular ITV chat show.
http://www.alphabiolabs.co.uk/public-services/paternity-testing/
