LA JOLLA, Calif.—The 2025 Advanced Lateral Flow Conference (ALFC), the premier global event for rapid diagnostics, concluded last week at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines with the announcement of this year’s prestigious ALFC Award winners. Recognized for their outstanding achievements in advancing rapid diagnostics, these honorees represent the innovation, leadership, and lifelong dedication that define the lateral flow community.
The 2025 ALFC Award winners are as follows.
Innovation Award
Winner: Latde Diagnostics (company link)
The Innovation Award recognizes developers, creators, or direct facilitators of groundbreaking products and novel technologies that push the boundaries of the industry.
Leadership in Diagnostics Award
Winner: Tim Chow, Imagene Technology (company link)
The Leadership in Diagnostics Award highlights an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership, collaboration, and strategic vision in driving the growth and development of the lateral flow diagnostics industry.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Klaus Hochleitner, Ph.D., Cytiva (company link)
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual or organization who has dedicated their career to the advancement of lateral flow diagnostics and made significant contributions over a sustained period. This prestigious award acknowledges the long-term commitment and impact of a truly exceptional professional or organization.
Poster Award
Winner: Amanda Weaver, Biodesix (company link)
The Poster Award recognizes the most innovative and impactful research presented during the ALFC poster sessions. These awards aim to encourage and celebrate the hard work and dedication of both emerging and established researchers. This award was co-presented by our Insights Sponsor, CorDx.
“These winners exemplify the spirit of innovation and collaboration that drives our industry forward,” said Mitzi Rettinger, Chief Revenue Officer at DCN Dx and Chair of the ALFC 2025 Organizing Committee. “Their achievements reflect not only technical excellence but also a deep commitment to improving global health through accessible, high-quality diagnostics.”
The two-day conference brought together leaders and innovators from across the diagnostics landscape for presentations, networking, and live pitch sessions. This year’s theme—Catalyzing Growth: Tech Advancements, Funding, and Regulatory Roadmaps in LFA—highlighted the convergence of technology, capital, and policy shaping the future of rapid testing.
For more information about ALFC 2025 and its sponsors, visit alfc2025.com.
About the Advanced Lateral Flow Conference
The Advanced Lateral Flow Conference (ALFC), presented by DCN Dx, is the leading global event for lateral flow diagnostic developers, manufacturers, and those driving their commercial success. This annual conference delivers cutting-edge insights through expert-led sessions and provides a platform for researchers and developers to exchange ideas and innovations. Attendees gain practical insights to advance their businesses, deepen their knowledge of rapid diagnostics, and connect with leading minds shaping the future of point-of-care testing.
The ALFC 2025 theme, Catalyzing Growth: Tech Advancements, Funding, and Regulatory Roadmaps in LFA, focuses on the three pillars driving real-world progress in diagnostics: capital, innovation, and regulatory clarity. From shifting FDA expectations to sustainable funding models and manufacturability challenges, the content will tackle the strategic decisions that shape successful lateral flow products.
Attendees include product managers, business development leads, investors, regulatory professionals, scientists, supply chain reps, and service providers from across the diagnostics ecosystem. These are the people responsible for turning ideas into impact, and ALFC is where they come to learn, connect, and get things done.
To learn more about ALFC, visit alfc2025.com.
About DCN Dx
DCN Dx, based in Carlsbad, California, specializes in lateral flow diagnostics development and manufacturing, and IVD regulatory consulting and clinical research. DCN Dx’s multidisciplinary CDMO specializes in creating tailored assay systems, consumables, and instruments for point-of-use applications, with a particular expertise in lateral flow assays. Their clinical research services group specializes in the planning, execution, and oversight of IVD clinical trials, inclusive of clinical operations, data management, and biostatistics, and regulatory services.
DCN Dx’s personalized approach to IVD product development and clinical trials has supported hundreds of programs and clients. They can oversee every stage from concept to assay development and platform integration, through clinical trials to manufacturing or only handle the aspects you request. In addition to lateral flow assays, DCN Dx’s clinical research expertise extends to any in vitro diagnostic, all with a focus on innovation, usability, and performance.
With a commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and industry-leading expertise, DCN Dx is setting the benchmark for excellence in IVD services. To learn more about how we can support your diagnostic needs, visit dcndx.com.
