Project description
Faster testing for food safety
Evidence of contaminated and counterfeit food results in food recalls every day. Since food recalls represent a severe economic loss for food companies, testing is crucial. Currently, laboratory test results are ready after more than 7 days, and are not compatible with fresh-food processes. The EU-funded BEAMitup project proposes a platform that provides rapid DNA screening, developed and patented by SwissDe Code, certifying the presence of pathogens or identifying pork in beef meat in just 30 minutes. The system comprises hardware, capsules and a cloud solution. Each test will receive an ISO 17025 certificate by SwissDe Code. The project will validate the platform and investigate the presence of Listeria, milk proteins and pork; the platform will be used for cheese and basmati rice certification.
Objective
Food recalls, costly mitigation measure following the evidence of contaminated, adulterating or counterfeiting foods are daily. It can cost several milions to take back the food company and cause severe damages to the brand. Lab tests, detecting food contaminants can take up to seven days and are thus not compatible with fresh-food processes.
The BEAMit-up platform that will bring the global food supply chain to the upper level of safety is composed of a hardware, capsules and a cloud solution. The capsule integrates a rapid DNA screening, developed and patented by SwissDeCode. Placed at the point-of-care, the BEAMit-up platform will certify the presence of pathogens or identify pork in beef meat in only 30 minutes. An ISO 17025 certificate will be released by SwissDeCode for each test.
We will validate the BEAMit-up platform early access programs: We supply hardware and capsules to the customer who will perform a pre-defined number of tests per week. We will investigate the presence of Halomonas, milk proteins, and pork. We will also use the platform for GMO corn detection.
SwissDeCode estimates a positive EBITDA at 5 years of €6.8M with a company growth to 200 employees.
To tackle the SARS-CoV-2, rapid and accurate detection methods are needed. Since the beginning of March, SwissDeCode collaborates with The Genova Hospital to extend the core technology to the detection of the virus. Preliminary tests were sent to the virology labs of the hospital and will be tested with patient samples. With the support of the EC, SwissDeCode can bring this new test to the hospital within few months only.
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Funding Scheme
SME - SME instrumentCoordinator
1020 Renens
Switzerland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.