EU supports rqmicro with 2.2 million euros

A key factor to assure the safety of drinking water is the detection of dangerous pathogenic bacteria. Yet despite the increasing threat to public health from pathogens such as legionella, which cause Legionnaire’s Disease, it currently takes more than 10 days to deliver results using standard detection methods.    

Now, rqmicro, a Schlieren-based spinoff from the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH), is working to solve this issue. It has developed a mobile device that can detect pathogens within two hours, consequently enabling the fast localization and effective treatment of outbreaks.

The European Commission has selected the development from among more than 1,200 competitors to receive 2.2 million euros of financial support, announced a statement. Thanks to the funds, rqmicro will be able to accelerate the market launch of its product.

With its SME Instrument, the EU supports innovative companies creating entirely new markets or revolutionizing existing ones.