Subsidies aimed at technology-based companies in the Principality of Asturias (EBT Phase I) – IDE/2024/000669 – Development and validation of a biotechnology product aimed at the rapid detection of Listeria in the agri-food industry
Arquea is a technology-based company specialised in biotechnology applied to food safety. Its solutions integrate genetic analysis, portable devices and digital platforms to optimise traceability and quality control in the agri-food industry.
The first product developed is a Listeria detector that reduces the detection cycle from 48 hours to just 1 hour from sampling. This improvement is based on a self-developed genetic detection enzymatic reaction. The system integrates a high-performance genetic analysis methodology, a portable device for control point analysis, and a digital platform with automatic decision models that ensure the complete traceability of the process.
Grants aimed at the implementation of R&D projects in the Principality of Asturias (PID) – IDE/2024/000585 – Accelerated development of new methods of surveillance of agri-food safety through the use of artificial intelligence (PatGenIA)
This project develops new tools for the surveillance of animal health and agri-food safety in the primary sector.
Based on the previous developments of Arquea, a digital framework based on mathematical models of artificial intelligence is created that accelerates the process of design and validation of molecular assays for the rapid detection of pathogenic agents on livestock farms and food products of animal origin.
Critically relevant pathogens have been selected for validation both at the laboratory scale and in real application environments. The successful completion of this project will contribute significantly to improving the competitiveness and resilience of the primary sector at local and national level.
Subsidies aimed at the implementation of R&D projects in the Principality of Asturias (PID) – IDE/2025/000407 – Development of new tools for the molecular detection of biofilms in the agri-food industry (BioGuard)
BioGuard addresses a critical challenge for food safety: the detection of bacterial biofilms, communities of microorganisms that present high resistance to conventional methods of cleaning and disinfection. Current methods to detect these pathogens are slow, expensive and require specialised personnel.
The project develops new molecular detection technologies of high sensitivity and specificity to identify pathogenic bacteria that form biofilms. These advances will allow the agri-food industry to significantly strengthen its quality control and hygiene programs, ensure the safety of food and prevent outbreaks of food-borne diseases. The knowledge generated will also provide valuable information to implement more effective prevention and control strategies.