The European first generation of aquaculture SERS-based Biosensor

Project Information

AQUASERS

Grant agreement ID: 887173

DOI

10.3030/887173

Project closed

EC signature date 30 October 2019

Start date 1 November 2019

End date 29 February 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

SISTEMAS AUDIOVISUALES ITELSIS SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AQUASERS (The European first generation of aquaculture SERS-based Biosensor)

Reporting period: 2019-11-01 to 2020-02-29

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Aquaculture industry has turned essential to fulfil the growing demand of fish & shellfish seafood. With latest global production peaked at 171 M tones in 2016, aquaculture represented 47% of the total and a first sale value of $232 billion. Nonetheless, in spite of its importance, yet the early detection and monitoring of infectious disease agents during the whole process is not sensitive neither fast enough, taking up to weeks. In response, ITELSIS has developed the first device in aquaculture for the accurate detection of three infection diseases in less than 30 minutes, AQUASERS. AQUASERS uses antibody (Ab)-gold nanoparticles to specifically capture the infection disease agents in water samples. The sample is inserted into the microfluid chamber of the device, that upon irradiation, if the agent is present, a light signal is amplified and detected by surface-enhanced RAMAN electroscope (SERS) and displayed by AQUASERS software.
The objectives were focused on defining the technological, commercial, and financial tasks to achieve the completion of our system and start sales in Q3-2022.

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

We analysed the technical aspects to reduce the equipment manufacturing cost, increase the sensitivity of the Ab-gold nanoparticles and refine the software. Also, we defined the equipment and the software usability studies and the final validation trial with two European aquaculture end-users. Besides, we assessed the most promising target markets and countries for our solution and the regulatory aspects to comply with the Directive (2014/35/EU). Last, we developed a financial plan for the commercialization of AQUASERS technology.

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)

AQUASERS device delivers the detection analysis in a 10-30 min range instead of minimum 4 hours or even weeks; it retrieves 72 measurements instead of one traditional measurement for accuracy; and is developed for the major infectious agents in Europe (for salmon, abalone and flatfish/ mussels). Consequently, AQUASERS will reduce productivity losses by effectively controlling the spread of disease, as the disease treatment can be implemented in a fast manner. Moreover, the sales after AQUASERS project will generate cumulative revenues, EBITDA, and employment of ~€63M, ~€14.98 and 82 FTE, respectively. Besides, when considering the total investment of €1.74M the project is financially exciting as it will give a return of investment (ROI) of €4.52 per euro invested.

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