SPD was formed in 2007 as a joint venture between Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Alere to create, using its parent companies’ complementary strengths, one of the world's foremost organisations in consumer diagnostics. P&G is a major consumer goods company, with numerous household brands that touch the lives of millions of people every single day. Alere is among the world's leading providers of innovative diagnostic products, renowned for their proven reliability in the professional management of women’s health and chronic and infectious disease. SPD have the combined and complementary skills to bring the very best of diagnostic innovation into the home and to bring professional technology right to the consumers’ finger-tips for better control of their own health at home.

SPD is currently a leading supplier of home pregnancy and fertility/ovulation tests. These are products designed to give women a better understanding of their own reproductive health and invaluable guidance in their family planning. Our research interests are in the broad application of innovative technologies for use by the consumer at home. We have a strong focus on women's reproductive health and our goals are in the continuing supply of useful diagnostic products which are sensitive, simple and affordable. In the achievement of these goals, we believe that SPD consumer diagnostic products will make increasing contributions to personal healthcare and well-being.

SPD’s headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland, and the Innovation Centre in Bedford, UK. SPD employs more than 160 people.