iMicroQ gets one million euros to begin manufacturing innovative salmonella detection kit

By Biocat

iMicroQ, a spin-off of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili led by Dr. Carlos Arias, has carried out a capital increase of €1.1 millions to fund the production and international marketing of an innovative fast salmonella detection kit (QFast Salmonella).

Caixa Capital Risc led the investment through their fund specializing in biotechnology and medical technology, Caixa Capital BioMed. A group of business angels with experience in the development of international business also joined in the round of funding.

Salmonellosis is transmitted to humans through the consumption of contaminated foods, mainly eggs and pork or chicken. It is one of the main epidemic outbreaks and affects, to various degrees, some 160,000 people per year. The salmonella-analysis market —estimated at €2,628 millions around the world in 2010— has few methods able to provide results in less than 24 hours. The kits currently on the market obtain results from 2 to 5 days after samples are received at the laboratory. The kit designed by iMicroQ detects these bacteria on-site (at farms, slaughterhouses, quality-control laboratories or production lines) in less than 24 hours and without any technical complications. The company expects to launch the product at a very competitive price.

Created in 2010, iMicroQ participated in the BioEmprenedorXXI program promoted by “la Caixa”, Barcelona Activa and Biocat, an initiative aimed at supporting researchers with business ideas that want to set up their own company in the life sciences arena. The company currently has 15 employees and expects to reach turnover of €7 millions by 2016. In 2012, the company won the EmprendedorXXI award in Catalonia promoted by "la Caixa".

Biocat published an article on the company as a technology transfer success case in Catalonia last December.