A startup pioneering a 15-minute diagnostic platform for bacterial infections has raised £1.1 million in pre-series A investment.
FluoretiQ is developing a family of antibiotic stewardship products that identify a true and correct need for antibiotic prescription.
It says NANOPLEX provides laboratory-quality results 200 times faster than lab analysis, helping clinicians meet their targets.
The 15-minute assay uses glycan-based probes to find and quantify important bacterial species directly from samples.
FluoretiQ’s products could be an important tool in the wake of reports showing that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is growing faster than expected.
The round was led by early-stage life science investors, Deepbridge Capital LLP, with significant participation from MAINStream, OION, SAIC and existing investors. It will enable the team at FluoretiQ to produce trial units of their first NANOPLEX product, a 15-minute UTI (urinary tract infection) diagnostic device.
“Recent headlines in the LANCET highlight the need for urgent action to get solutions to preserve the efficacy of current and future antibiotics,” said FluoretiQ CEO Dr Neciah Dorh.
“These funds will enable us to build cutting-edge, rapid diagnostic products that enable true antibiotic stewardship. We’re so fortunate to have a growing list of committed and visionary investors.”
Angel investor, entrepreneur and medical doctor Dr Leonid Shapiro invested in FluoretiQ.
“I was impressed with both FlouretiQ’s innovation in bacterial detection and their quest to solve a much-needed problem in managing urinary infections in our nation’s elderly,” he said.