The current diagnostic technology usually relied on centrifuges or spectrophotometers that were too expensive for many hospitals in developing countries.

Its makers, who say each test costs about 2p, believe that it could help to diagnose malaria in poor countries and in remote locations, away from more sophisticated diagnostic technology.

Even a single computer has sub-systems that are supplied by an array of vendors each having disparate diagnostic technology.

As has been reported, the decision leaves many questions unanswered, including the patentability of many medical diagnostic technologies and software.

Most importantly, they ensure that the diagnostic technologies developed with their partners are made available in high burden countries.