In at-home diagnostics, timing can be the difference between leading the market and falling behind. For Pathway clients and distributors, responsiveness isn’t just an advantage, it’s a must.

Hurdle’s upgraded kitting process was built with that need at the core. By streamlining workflows and investing in scalable infrastructure, we have cut launch times from 6 weeks to less than 24 hours for many products, while maintaining compliance, quality, and a great customer experience. This shift comes from rethinking how we design products with flexibility, speed, and repeatability in mind.

 

The Previous Model: Fixed and Labour-Intensive

Before our recent innovation, launching a new product meant starting from scratch. Each product was tied to a single product code, which locked in the configuration of the inner kit, sleeve, and return label.

Nothing was interchangeable. Every new product required a dedicated production run. That added 4-6 weeks before the first kit could ship. For clients, this meant slow response times to market demand and missed opportunities.

 

The New Model: Configurable and Scalable

The breakthrough came when we decoupled the product code from a fixed kit configuration and introduced agnostic products. Now the code acts as an instruction set, and our fulfilment partner pairs the right inner kit, laboratory returns label, and sleeve based on what’s needed for that launch.

This change delivers three clear benefits:

• Reuse of existing inner kits: Any panel that matches the capabilities of a pre-existing inner kit can be launched without physical redesign.
  
• Sleeve readiness: We can create and store multiple sleeves for a client, ready to be paired with an inner kit on demand. Sleeve creation takes around two weeks, but once created, we can reuse it indefinitely.
  
• Rapid activation: When both kit and sleeve are in place, a new product takes less than 24 hours and triggers fulfilment right away.

With this model, turnaround times have been cut from 4-6 weeks down to just 2 weeks for entirely new sleeves, and to under 24 hours when using existing components.

 

Real-World Impact: A Case Study

A new client wanted to launch products. They selected products already in Hurdle’s catalogue, so we used established inner kits. The only new piece was their custom-branded sleeve.

Design, approval, and production took roughly two weeks, a major improvement on the previous 6 week timeline. Now that the sleeve is in inventory, the client can launch additional products using the same kit in less than 24 hours.

This approach not only accelerates time-to-market but also provides a scalable framework for rapid product expansion, enabling the client to respond swiftly to market demand and emerging opportunities.

 

Why It Matters for Distributors and Pathway Clients

Healthcare markets evolve rapidly. Seasonal trends, new research, and changes in consumer behaviour all create opportunities that will not wait. Speed is essential.

Our flexible kitting model helps partners act quickly and decisively. It removes common operational bottlenecks that delay launches. By producing key components like branded sleeves in advance and keeping them ready in inventory, we streamline workflows and reduce lead times.

Whether launching a new diagnostic panel, rebranding a test for a campaign, or entering a new market, our process supports rapid execution at scale. This allows clients to manage multiple launches per year with minimal disruption.

The result is greater agility to respond to market and opportunities. Clients stay ahead of the competition while maintaining high standards of quality and compliance.

 

Conclusion: The New Standard for Rapid Product Launch

At Hurdle, we believe that operational excellence is as much about speed and flexibility as it is about precision and compliance. By rethinking our kitting process, we have created a launch model that keeps our partners competitive, nimble, and ready to seize new opportunities as they arise.

From 6 week waits to 24 hour launches, this is more than just an improvement, it is a transformation in how at-home testing products reach the market. For our clients, it is proof that when the right infrastructure meets the right vision, the possibilities are limitless.