MEDICAL diagnostics business Axis-Shield has secure a £1.25m funding line from Barclays.

The Dundee based company develops and commercialises diagnostic tests for a number of critical illnesses including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis and vitamin deficiencies. The funding will allow increased investment in research and development and efficiency improvements at the company’s Dundee Technology Park facility.

Launched as a spin-out business from Dundee University in 1982, Axis-Shield employs 137 staff. It markets a number of own-label products as well as developing new diagnostic tests for global pharmaceutical firms including Abbott and Siemens.