rqmicro secures CHF 6 million in first closing of Series B round

15.03.2021 16:23, Isabelle Mitchell

rqmicro, a pioneer in the rapid detection of bacteria in water, completed a CHF 6 million 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 Zurich-based biotech startup was a Venture Leader China in 2015 and among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups from 2014 to 2017.

rqmicro CEO Dr. Hans-Anton Keserue (left) and CTO Dr. Daniel Schaffhauser

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 the EU and China. The legally recognized yet slow and imprecise detection methods for Legionella in drinking and process water are no longer up to today’s requirements. The rqmicro.COUNT platform overcomes technological limitations to a 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. “Today’s 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 million 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.” 

Zurich-based rqmicro was a Venture Leader China in 2015 and one of the TOP 100 Swiss Startups from 2014 to 2017.