Bio-LP-1 - A novel technology for water safety and surveillance testing

Project Information

Bio-LP-1

Grant agreement ID: 816742

DOI

10.3030/816742

Project closed

EC signature date 7 May 2018

Start date 1 June 2018

End date 30 November 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

BIOPROBE DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Bio-LP-1 (Bio-LP-1 - A novel technology for water safety and surveillance testing)

Reporting period: 2018-06-01 to 2018-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Legionnaires Disease (LD) is a severe and often fatal form of pneumonia which is caused by bacteria known as Legionella. It is predominantly transmitted through contaminated water systems. Globally the incidence of LD is increasing in many parts of the world. The most effective way to limit the spread of LD is to control and eliminate the bacteria from environmental reservoirs. At present the most commonly used LD tests for water are time consuming (14 days) and lack specificity and sensitivity.

An alternative approach is to apply molecular based LD water testing technologies which have the capability to provide rapid (< one day) and robust results. BioProbe Diagnostics (BPD) lead product is Bio-LP-1, a revolutionary test which has the capability to transform Legionella testing globally. The single test Bio-LP-1 product will provide the end user with a significant reduction in analysis time to result and significant savings in cost.

The overall objective of this feasibility study was to finish all technical work associated with the test, begin certification while also developing the business and commercial strategies for BPD.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Task 1: Develop a business plan Bio-LP-1 complete
Task 2: Establishment of key strategic relationships for business development - complete
Task 3: Perform Assessment of competing and complementary technologies for identification of Legionella in water systems - complete
Task 4: Analyse market potential for other pipe-line technologies for BPD - complete
Task 5: Write detailed protocol for end users that will be used for certification of Bio-LP-1 c complete
Task 6: Initiate Validation study - Initiated
Task 7: Continue to prosecute IP - Ongoing

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Bio-LP-1 is the first combined test with a capability to rapidly detect the Legionella genus, all L. pneumophila serogroups and specifically identify Lp-sg1 in one sample. This ground-breaking Bio-LP-1 technology will lead to a faster turnaround time to results (<5hr compared to 14 days for culture testing) and will give more robust information to the end user as to which bacteria is present in a sample. The advantages of the test, the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications, are outlined below:
Healthcare facility/ general population: Reduced morbidity and mortality- better patient outcomes
Healthcare facility: Economic savings as it will be possible to determine if ward closures are needed due to contaminated water systems
Healthcare facility/ Building management companies: Identify when remedial actions are required, while also monitoring how effective these remedial actions are
Testing Laboratories Reduced cost ~25% when compared to emerging technologies)
Wider Societal impact - LD is a serious and growing disease with considerable negative impacts on EU citizens. Bio-Lp-1 offers its customers a better Legionella test to ensure water safety, which will lead to a lesser burden of disease with improved patient outcomes through a reduction in morbidity and mortality.

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