Project description
An innovative and rapid method for Legionella detection
Legionella pneumophila bacteria are typically detected by the traditional microbiological culture that takes up to 14 days to generate a result. Some modern methodologies have decreased testing time to three days, but they require two to three tests as well as a considerable investment in specialised equipment. The EU-funded Bio-LP-1 project proposes a pioneering diagnostic method based on molecular technologies that provide a complete identification of the Legionella pathogen to the serogroup level with a single test. The method requires less time to generate results and offers more robust information; moreover, it requires less hands-on time and no specialised equipment, resulting in considerable cost savings.
Objective
Traditional microbiological culture for Legionella bacteria takes up to 14 days to provide a result. While some rapid methodologies have been developed they require 2-3 tests to be completed meaning it can take 3 days for a result and they also require capital investments in costly specialised equipment.
Bio-LP-1 is a novel rapid test which has the capacity to transform the environmental global testing landscape for the human pathogen Legionella.
Bio-LP-1’s unique selling point is that it provides a complete identification of Legionella to the serogroup level in a single test using molecular technologies.
This is a diagnostic breakthrough, as all existing competitors can only offer 2 or 3 stage molecular tests to generate the equivalent result. The single test Bio-LP-1 product format is 5 x FASTER than the nearest competitor, Offers €319,200 pa savings for large test laboratories conducting at least 50,000 tests per year. Bio-LP-1 – offers a faster time to result; yields more robust information; requires less hands on time; requires no specialised equipment and ultimately has the potential for significant cost savings.
Current estimates predict that the global legionella testing market will reach $352.6 million by 2025 and that the water testing market is the fastest growing sector.
We have a best in class consortium:
BPD - European experts in development and commercialisation of rapid microbial diagnostic solutions.
myPOLs - leader in molecular biology reagent manufacturing.
Genaxxon - European leader in sales of innovative molecular IVD products)
Control Microbiológico - ENAC accredited large environmental testing laboratory.)
BPD and myPOLS have previously collaborated in the development of Bio-Lp-1, over past 12 months to bring Bio-LP-1 to TRL 6
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
CO WATERFORD
Ireland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.