From February 10 to 13, 2026, WHX Labs Dubai 2026 (formerly Medlab Middle East), a premier global event in laboratory medicine, was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Zhuhai ENCODE Medical Engineering Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "ENCODE") made a strong appearance with its new positioning as a "Direct Solution Provider," showcasing a comprehensive product portfolio covering the entire mycobacteria testing workflow - from culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST) to molecular diagnostics - garnering significant attention from international buyers.
The exhibition attracted over 800 companies from more than 40 countries. ENCODE's featured exhibits, the YK AIMT Series Automated Mycobacteria Culture Monitoring Systems and supporting Mycobacteria Liquid Culture Tubes, became focal points due to their intelligent design and efficient detection capabilities. The series includes six models (YK-320, YK-640, YK-960, YK-1280, YK-1600, and YK-1920) featuring a modular stackable design, with each module supporting 320 wells and scalability up to 1920 wells. Integrated functions such as barcode-based well assignment, automatic start-up, and 24/7 intelligent monitoring enable real-time culture curve synchronization to mobile devices, significantly reducing manual intervention and empowering laboratories with remote monitoring and automated management.
Notably, ENCODE unveiled its complete "Direct Solution" for the first time - an end-to-end workflow connecting sample inoculation, culture monitoring, species identification, and drug resistance testing, all powered by ENCODE's proprietary product line. The core of this solution, the MycoDirect DST Susceptibility Plate, covers 26 first-line and second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. Seamlessly integrated with the culture system, positive samples can directly proceed to DST, enabling a turnaround time from culture to DST results in as little as 11 days - a dramatic reduction from the conventional multi-week process. Crucially, the solution incorporates new anti-tuberculosis drugs like Bedaquiline (Bdq), Delamanid (Dlm), and Pyrazinamide (PZA) into its susceptibility testing panel, addressing a critical gap in new drug DST accessibility in emerging market countries.
On the molecular diagnostics front, ENCODE also presented its Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Gene Mutation Detection Kit and NTM Identification Kit (both utilizing Fluorescent PCR Melting Curve Analysis), providing precise tools for rapid screening of drug resistance mutations and non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections. Additionally, the YK-FIA200 Immunofluorescence Analyzer and its supporting reagents expand the laboratory's comprehensive testing capabilities beyond tuberculosis, catering to diverse clinical needs.
Throughout the exhibition, ENCODE's booth maintained a consistently high level of engagement. Laboratory procurement representatives from tuberculosis high-burden countries including Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, and Nigeria conducted detailed discussions on-site. A client from Saudi Arabia engaged in a 45-minute in-depth conversation regarding the LIS interface capabilities of the YK AIMT Series and the CE certification scope of the MycoDirect DST Plate. The Director of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program Laboratory from Nigeria requested an electronic version of the stability validation report for the liquid culture tubes. Over the three-day event, the ENCODE booth received more than 200 professional visitors, with the vast majority engaging in technical discussions centered around the "Direct Solution."
This appearance at WHX Labs Dubai 2026 marks a strategic upgrade for ENCODE, transitioning from exporting individual diagnostic products to providing integrated systematic solutions. Through continuous innovation and workflow integration, ENCODE is dedicated to empowering laboratories worldwide - especially healthcare institutions in tuberculosis high-burden regions - with more efficient, autonomous, and sustainable tuberculosis diagnostic capabilities.
