A Bristol-based company, which has developed faster and cheaper ways to identify harmful bacteria has received financial backing from investors belonging to Bristol Private Equity Club.
FluoretiQ, based in Unit DX, Bristol, is a two-year-old business that is using novel technology to identify bacterial infections in hospitals, clinics and care homes.
Chief executive, Neciah Dorh, who has a PhD in nanophotonics and a background in fluorescence technologies for bio-sensing, leads the team who have developed the techniques.
He said: “This support will enable us to push forward with our ambitious growth plans to revolutionise bacterial diagnostics. We are passionate about our research and development and have invested in building the team we need to deliver this technology to people all over the world.
“The technology can reduce clinical decision-making time from 48 hours to 15 minutes, an accelerated approach to existing care pathways. At the moment we are working on a solution for urinary tract infections, to reduce recurrent GP visits, hospitalisation and unnecessary prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Jerry Barnes, founder of the Bristol Private Equity Club, said: “Bristol is fast gaining a reputation for the number of companies like FluoretiQ that are using emerging technology to make a real difference to the world.
We have 80 successful entrepreneurs and business people with capital in the club. They all want to support fast-growing and successful businesses and to share the expertise and lessons they have learned over the years with those at the leading edge of development.”
Bristol Private Equity Club has now invested a total of £6 million in three years in 19 Bristol area businesses. FluoretiQ was developed with venture capital from Deepbridge Capital and now has a strong scientific team taking the research forward.
