rqmicro secures CHF 6.0m in first closing of series B round

MAKE WATER SAFE – rqmicro accelerates sales and execution of product roadmap with launch of novel rapid pathogen detection platform

rqmicro AG, a pioneer in the rapid detection of bacteria in water, announced it has completed a CHF 6.0m first closing of its Series B financing round. A Switzerland-based industrial holding group led this first part of the investment round alongside previous investors. The investment will help to accelerate market development for their new rapid detection platform in the first application of Legionella.

The Series B financing builds on an exceptional year for rqmicro with the reach of their first accreditation in the USA and product validations acquired in EU and China. The legally recognized, yet slow and imprecise detection methods for Legionella in drinking and process water are no longer up to requirements. The rqmicro.COUNT platform overcomes technological limitations to widespread single cell analysis by deploying low-cost microfluidic cartridges. Users benefit from revolutionary portability and convenience and obtain single cell counts of viable and thus dangerous bacteria in less than 2 hours.

“Standard method for Legionella detection is still based on cultivating cells on petri dishes. Our industry needs to adopt a more quantitative approach towards managing water safety. rqmicro’s upcoming launch of the new instrument series is great news and we are looking forward to being one of the first users” said Kristina Scharenberg, managing director of the accredited environmental lab HBICON GmbH in Bielefeld, Germany.

“We are at the start of a revolution in water microbiology. Our novel rapid detection platform enables customers to routinely analyze specific bacteria on a single-cell level and generate actionable data to maintain and improve water safety. This is a breakthrough that will generate tremendous value in our sector and for the safety of consumers” said Dr. Hans-Anton Keserue, CEO of rqmicro.

“In order to further accelerate the international market development, we are planning to conclude the Series B growth round with a second closing of CHF 8.0m in the first half of 2021” said Tobias Schaad, CFO/COO of rqmicro and continued “we are thus reaching out to investors that seek exposure in the life sciences sector and aim to be part of an exceptional advancement in water safety.”