Lateral-flow assay workshops - EMEA 2026

Dr. Klaus Hochleitner

Dr. Klaus Hochleitner is a cell and molecular biologist with over 30 years of experience in immuno- and molecular diagnostic applications. Since 1997, he has been presenting on lateral-flow diagnostics and the materials used in these technologies at workshops and scientific conferences. Additionally, Dr. Klaus Hochleitner holds several patents in this field, showcasing his contributions and expertise. In his current role as Global Lead Technical Product Specialist Diagnostics for Cytiva, he continues to drive innovation and support diagnostic technologies.

Dr. Janko Brand

Dr. Janko Brand is a biochemist and business development leader with over a decade of experience in life sciences and diagnostics. At e-Proteins, he drives the development and commercialization of next-generation biotin-binding technologies such as HookDin, aimed at enhancing the performance of diagnostic assays. He is passionate about translating scientific innovation into real-world impact.

Michael Doumanas

Michael Doumanas is a business executive with 25 years of experience in the biotechnology and diagnostics industry, specializing in business development within the lateral flow testing field. He began his career at Whatman and has since built extensive experience across multiple roles focused on the production and optimization of lateral flow tests. For the past 15 years, Michael has specialized in laboratory instrumentation, particularly in the field of lateral flow readers and PCR-related technologies. Following various roles in product management, marketing, and business development, he served as Managing Director of DIALUNOX, a leading manufacturer of lateral flow readers and a subsidiary of QIAGEN. He recently joined IUL Instruments as Managing Partner in Germany, where he is responsible for establishing and developing the German subsidiary, with a focus on microbiology laboratory instruments as well as instrument solutions for rapid tests.

Ashley Naidoo

Ashley Naidoo is the Sales Manager at BioDot in EMEA, specialising in dispensing solutions for life science and pharmaceutical applications. With a background in Chemical Engineering and extensive experience across biomedical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, Ashley supports researchers and manufacturers in optimising precision dispensing technologies. At this workshop, Ashley will lead a hands-on demonstration of BioDot’s solutions, showcasing practical applications and best practices for laboratory and production settings.

Antje Tandetzky is Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Ellecom Swiss AG, an independent regulatory affairs consultancy based in the Basel area, Switzerland, specialising in medical devices and in vitro diagnostics. With a strong focus on European regulatory frameworks, including the EU MDR and IVDR, she advises manufacturers on market access, clinical and performance evaluation, quality management systems, and compliance strategies across the product lifecycle.
Her work combines regulatory expertise with practical implementation, supporting companies in translating complex requirements into audit-ready solutions. Through its international presence, including subsidiaries in Germany, India, and China, Ellecom supports manufacturers globally in navigating diverse regulatory environments.
Antje has particular experience in clinical evaluation, performance evaluation of IVDs, and the regulatory positioning of diagnostic technologies such as lateral flow assays.

Albert Ramon

Albert Ramon is a Molecular diagnostics expert with over 15 years of experience in genomics, single-cell applications, and molecular workflow optimization. Currently, as Diagnostic and Genomics Business Development Manager at Cytiva, Albert provides expert application support, training, and technical troubleshooting across diagnostic platforms. He focuses on practical insights and advanced techniques to optimize diagnostic test performance. His expertise includes assay development, customer-focused training, and enhancing operational efficiency through innovative diagnostic approaches. 

Simon Thacker

Simon Thacker is an experienced industry professional with over 35 years of working in POC diagnostics, biotechnology and the pharma industry. As someone who delivers on promises, when he says “we can do that!” He means it!
During Covid, Simon, and his team, were the only equipment supplier worldwide to successfully deliver on their promises to various governments in EMEA, APAC and China, to deliver, install, validate, train personnel and sign off on 100% of the equipment ordered within the tight timescales required.  The level of equipment supplied and signed off within 24 months was equivalent to over 10 x the annual requirement pre-covid.  
With a global network of collaborators and suppliers he brings a realistic and honest view to your liquid handling and automation requirements.

Laura Gonzalez-Macia holds a BSc in Chemistry and a Master's in Electrochemistry from the University of Seville and a PhD from Dublin City University. Her work focuses on translational research, enabling biomarker detection through advanced electrochemical sensing. Following postdoctoral roles at UWE Bristol and Chimie ParisTech, she served as Scientific Director at Osasen Sensores as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow (MSCA IF), developing Point-of-Care diagnostics. She then joined Imperial College London upon receiving her second MSCA IF. Her recent work involves developing affordable sensing platforms, including electrochemical lateral flow assays and paper-based gas sensors, integrated with wireless technology. She is now a Lecturer in Biotechnology at the University of Bath, where her lab develops sustainable monitoring tools to address global challenges in food security and diagnostics.

Pilar Cervello Aran

Pilar Cervello Aran is a PhD student at Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus and IISPV (Spain). She holds a BSc in Biotechnology from the University of Lleida, with early research experience in colorectal cancer models, and completed an Erasmus stay at the University of Helsinki. She earned an MSc in Tumour Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapies from the University of Zaragoza, including an internship at IDIBAPS–Hospital Clínic de Barcelona focused on tumor-reactive T cells in breast cancer. She is currently a researcher in the GIOTEC group at IISPV, contributing to competitive projects such as METAspread and to a WHO/IARC-led clinical guideline on Helicobacter pylori eradication. In 2026, she was awarded a PFIS PhD fellowship (ISCIII), working on multi-omics biomarker discovery for colorectal cancer. 

Ron Wolbert

Ron Wolbert, MSc., is a biochemist with over 25 years of experience in biotechnology, diagnostics, and precision microdispensing. He began his professional journey in the Biochemistry Department at the Agricultural University in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Throughout his career, Ron has held roles at organisations such asAmersham-Pharmacia Biotech-GE, Biacore, Lauden Holding, RnAssays, Scienion, M24You, and PPTechSales. Nowadays, as Business Development Manager at microdrop Technologies, Ron specialises in the world of ultra-low-volume liquid handling and microdispensing technologies, helping teams solve complex microdispensing challenges at the picoliter, nanoliter, and microliter scale. Ron works closely with partners and customers across Life Sciences, Pharma, Biotech, POCT, and IVD. Whether optimising microdispensing, lateral flow assays, biosensors or developing solutions for precise microarray printing, Ron brings a deeply collaborative, practical, and solution-oriented approach from R&D to manufacturing.