For a quicker diagnosis of respiratory pathogens in hospitals

A new point-of-care instrument for detection of respiratory pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumonia and Bordetella pertussis.

Health care providers working in small and medium-sized hospitals tend to lack easy access to centralised lab services. The cost of diagnostics accounts for up to 10% of the total hospital costs per patient. A fast diagnosis, followed by adequate patient treatment, not only reduces lab testing costs, but also improves control and surveillance of target pathogens.

 
Infection control

medical1RESPOC will permit health professionals to better control respiratory infection pathogens that cause illnesses such as pneumonia and whooping cough.These infections can result in serious problems, especially in children.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description
 
Better diagnostics

medical2By having access to the new diagnostics device RESPOC, hospitals will reduce misdiagnoses and the subsequent spread of antimicrobial resistance resulting from an excessive prescription of antibiotics.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description
 
Non-invasive

medical3For patients, RESPOC will result in the satisfaction of an earlier diagnosis of respiratory infection pathogens, a non-invasive sample collection and a shortened hospital stay.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description

RESPOC will be available soon. A scientific and technological research is still on-going.
Funding: FP7-SME-2013-1- 606488

Respiratory infections

The diagnosis of pneumococcal and pertussis is challenging because the early symptoms of illness overlap with many other bacterial and viral respiratory infections.

Molecular techniques such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) are increasingly used for the detection of respiratory pathogens, due to their high accuracy and relatively fast turnaround time (hours). Their utilisation can result in early and specific treatment, contribute to better patient outcomes and reduce the length of hospital stays.

However, implementation of rapid molecular diagnostics remains limited to large, centralised laboratories which can afford the requirements of dedicated PCR laboratory space, specialised personnel and costly equipment and consumables.

Now small and medium-sized hospitals and decentralised clinical laboratories can rely on RESPOC – a fast, cost-effective and user-friendly molecular diagnostic PoC instrument for near-patient use.

 
Streptococcus pneumoniae

bacteria1Streptococcus pneumoniae continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly among young children, the elderly and adults with underlying illnesses or a weakened immune system. It causes a range of diseases from relatively benign ear infection and sinusitis to serious conditions such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
Every year pneumonia alone is responsible for over 2 million deaths worldwide among children under five years of age and up to 2.6 million paediatric cases in developed regions.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description
 
Bordetella pertussis

bacteria2Bordetella pertussis is a pathogen that causes a highly contagious respiratory disease termed whooping cough or pertussis. Pertussis remains an important public health problem and the least controlled vaccine-preventable disease in Europe and worldwide.
It can be life-threatening for infants and young children and has become endemic in both developed and developing countries, with cyclic outbreaks worldwide.
Globally, it is estimated that there are 16 million cases and about 195,000 child deaths annually due to pertussis.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description

RESPOC public deliverables

You can find below RESPOC public deliverables: Deliverable 1.1 Market and regulatory survey results and report on system specifications Deliverable 7.1 Ethical clearance Deliverable 8.3 Dissemination video deliverable-7_2_RESPOC system usability and performance

Maastricht held the last RESPOC General Meeting

Last 27th-28th of July, RESPOC held its final project meeting at PATHOFINDER facilities in Maastricht (The Nederlands), two years and a half after it began. During the meeting, each member of the consortium presented the results achieved in the  project and  the consortium discussed different business models and agreed an exploitation agreement for launching the platform to the market.

Watch RESPOC promotional video!

The RESPOC partners have created a  promotional videoclip explaining the results of the project. RESPOC platform can help professional users to better control respiratory infection pathogens reducing misdiagnoses and the spread of antimicrobial resistance resulting from an excessive prescription of antibiotics. Watch the video and see how RESPOC works! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbOVorwILzw

Respoc partners meets at Barcelona for the M24 General Meeting

On 14th january 2016,RESPOC holds its 24 Month project meeting at the ATEKNEA premises in Barcelona (Spain), two years after it began. During the meeting, each member of the consortium presentes the results achieved in the RESPOC project.  The consortium is going to discuss the different business models and agree an exploitation agreement for launching the protoype to the market.

The Consortium meets in Derby (UK) for the M19 meeting

On June 25th and 26th 2015, a General Meeting of the RESPOC team took place at SURESCREEN’s headquarters in Morley (UK). During the meeting all the work done so far was explained and next steps were discussed in order to move forward in the assay, cartridge and device development. The project faces a crucial stage since the system is close to being fully assembled, and the validation stage is approaching.

Meeting to the REA

The RESPOC team met in Brussels, headquarter of the European Commission (EU) to talk about the progress of the project. The 15M Technical Meeting was held on the 11th of February in order to present and discuss the latest improvements in the RESPOC technology; and on the 12th of February, the team presented their progress to the Research Executive Agency (REA). In there it was presented the technical progress done in the first 12 months of the project, as well as all dissemination activities carried out and the initial plans agreed by the SME in order to exploit the future RESPOC device[...]

Florence held the RESPOC 12M General Meeting

NTL hosted the M12 General Meeting of RESPOC, which was assisted by all partners. Last 27th and 28th November 2014 was held in Florence (IT) the 12M General Meeting of the project. The city known as the "cradle of the Renaissance", witnessed the progress done so far by the RTDs. In that sense, latest results in sample treatment were explained, followed by a discussion on the cartridge design and requirements for the development of the instrument modules. Last but not least, the first sketches of the reader integrating all the elements were showed in order to start working in its design. [...]

The RESPOC team met in Freiburg, Germany

Almost all RESPOC players met in Freiburg (Germany), in the HSG-IMIT facilities, despite some difficulties in the journey, in order to talk about the project progress. During the 2 days event, the consortium focussed on the specifications of the RESPOC platform, discussed the first technological results and started to talk about the exploitation strategy as well as how to disseminate the RESPOC technology in the most effective way.  

RESPOC in HORIZON magazine

HORIZON, the EU Research & Innovation Magazine, includes in his Healt section an article about whooping cough. In there, it is explained the current concern about the spread of Bordetella pertussis bacteria, and the actual limitation of the existing vaccines. The author also focus in the early diagnosis of the infection. And this is where RESPOC technology is aiming to help, since will provide a reliable detection method that would help giving a proper treatment. Read it in: http://horizon-magazine.eu/article/new-vaccine-stem-rise-whooping-cough_en.html      

Meeting at the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain

The RESPOC team held its M3 technical meeting on 13th March, 2014 at the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu facilities in Barcelona. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the progress of the first 3 months of the project and the upcoming work packages. Tasks related with the Definition of the System Specifications, the Development of a sample collection and DNA extraction methods were reviewed and slight changes in the cartridge system were agreed. The team looks forward to the next project meeting, M6, which will be held in HSG-IMIT facilities in Freiburg (Germany) next June.
 
More

Barcelona Welcomes the Developing Bodies

1.1 million Euro grant to develop a device for rapid diagnosis of respiratory infections at primary care. This is the amount of money given by the European Union to flight against respiratory infections in small and medium-sized hospitals. The bodies and institutions involved in this scientific and technological research met today in Barcelona, at Hotel Vilamarí, to develop a diagnostic point-of-care instrument that will permit health professionals to better control respiratory infection pathogens that are causative agents of illnesses such as pneumonia or pertussis. These infections may ca[...]

Developing Bodies

Ateknea Solutions

01www.ateknea.com
Ateknea Solutions provides business and technological excellence to small and medium-sized enterprises to develop their ideas into profitable innovative solutions. By operating at a European level for over 15 years, Ateknea aims to assist SMEs in transforming their ideas into real marketable products and services for their success. Ateknea Solutions relies on the engineering and scientific solutions developed by more 100 research engineers and scientists, and 30 PhDs covering a wide range of knowledge areas. By offering tailor-made services for innovation, such as project management, business development and fundraising; the company is also leader in its field throughout the European Union: more than 170 innovation projects signed, more than 600 SMEs involved and more than 25 European countries represented. Nowadays, Ateknea Solutions offers its technological capacities and business approach in five different locations: Western Europe (Barcelona Office), Central Europe (Brussels Delegation), Eastern Europe (Budapest Office), Northern Europe (Krakow Office) and Southern Europe (Valetta Office).

Box Right TitleBox Right Description
NT Laboratory

02www.ntlaboratory.com
NT Laboratory is an active engineering and mechanical manufacturing company based in Italy since 2000s. It has gained global recognition as a supplier of advanced, reliable and affordable mechanics equipment for the IVD industry. N.T. Laboratory offers worldwide its range of laboratory equipment such as clinical chemistry analysers, flame photometers and micro plate readers, washers and incubator stirrers. Our factory and sales office are located in Rome. Each step of manufacturing process is executed with accuracy, profound knowledge and long time experience. Our instruments are user friendly and reliable partners for your lab.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description
JCB

03www.jcb-sl.com
JCB is a company based in Spain and specialised in the design, development and supply of electronics, control, automation and mechanical equipment for the industry. Since 2001, we have provided on-demand engineering solutions to small and medium-sized companies. These solutions, which are completely flexible and easily upgraded, have been designed to adapt and evolve to suit the scope and the necessities of each company. Our strategy focuses on extending their engineering services to the production and commercialisation of high added value innovative technology products in sectors like telecommunications, biotechnology and electronics. Also, we are currently deploying an internalization plan to provide standard and custom products and engineering services all around Europe by means of a direct sales internet platform.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description
PATHOFINDER

www.pathofinder.com

PathoFinder offers a new generation of comprehensive molecular diagnostics for syndromic infectious disease panels. Our state-of-the-art multiplex PCR technologies enable a rapid detection and identification of multiple human pathogens in clinical specimens. PathoFinder products are based on our proprietary SmartFinder® and MultiFinder® multiplex PCR-technologies or on Real Time PCR. With PathoFinder’s multiplex PCR products, up to 22 pathogens can be readily identified in a single, easy to perform multiplex PCR assay. Our RealAccurate® products include mono- duplex and quadruplex Real Time PCR assays. Targeted human infectious diseases include: Respiratory Tract Infections,  Gastroenteritis, Viral Meningitis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Human Papilloma Virus Infections.PathoFinder’s multiplex PCR-products save time, allow for automation and are cost-effective, and thus address the three major aspects of introducing comprehensive molecular diagnostics in the daily clinical routine.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description
Surescreen

05www.surescreen.com
Since 1991 Surescreen has utilised our in-house skills in forensic science and pathology to solve problems for a wide range of clients. Whether detecting the cause of cracks in Formula One gearboxes, calculating speeds at fatal road accidents, inspecting pipes hundreds of feet above ground in power stations, or providing expert witness in court, our innovative and lateral approach, supported by experience and knowledge allows us to tackle a wide range of jobs that require specialist expertise. We apply the same method of thinking to our comprehensive range of diagnostic products. Whether it is Point of Care, Drug Testing, or our suite of Laboratory based services at SureScreen we endeavour to bring you the best range of innovative products focussed for their application through considered research and development. Our experience in diagnostic testing comes from leading the incredible expansion in health diagnostics and drug screening since its infancy, with our unique range of cutting edge technologies, giving pin-point accuracy in just a few minutes. Our technical expertise coupled with our research and development of the products we sell allows you unparalleled support and adjustability.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description
Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (HSJD)

06www.fsjd.org
Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (HSJD) is a private not-for-profit institution that provides tertiary-level health care services to children and pregnant mothers. As one of the most important paediatric medical centres in Europe, HSJD combines basic general paediatrics with specialized care for all paediatric tertiary-level pathologies, particularly infectious diseases, neonatology, neuroscience, oncology, endocrinology, cardiology, and orthopaedic surgery. Annually HSJD manages around 25,000 in-patient admissions, 212.000 outpatient visits and 3,000 child births. Associated with University of Barcelona, HSJD is also a teaching hospital that conducts basic and translational research with the aim to improve the quality of health care provided to patients. A primary area of research interest in the hospital is the study of the clinical, molecular and epidemiological characteristics of the main paediatric infectious diseases through its Molecular Laboratory. Created in 1993, the Molecular Laboratory of HSJD processes more than 20,000 samples each year and performs research, development, validation and use of molecular methods for the routine testing of more than 40 pathogens. Additionally, it provides laboratory-based surveillance services of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis and other bacteria to the Health Agency of Catalonia, delivering diagnostic results to more than 100 primary care centres and hospitals within the Catalonian territory.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description
Hahn-Schickard

 hsg Logo Gravity V06 RZ 4c www.hahn-schickard.de
Hahn-Schickard is an application-oriented research and development provider for micro-technical components and systems. Its main business units are Sensors & Systems, Microfluidics, Prototyping & Production, and Lab-on-a-Chip. Regarding the latter, Hahn-Schickard’s expertise ranges from the design, simulation and prototyping of polymer based Lab-on-a-Chip systems, to their microfluidic and biochemical testing. Hahn-Schickard offers consultancy, feasibility studies and the optimization of production processes. It is certified according to DIN ISO 9001:2008.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description
European Union

 07www.europa.eu/cordis
Supported by the European Union.

Box Right TitleBox Right Description

Contact

If you have any further queries, requests or suggestions, please feel free to fill out this contact form. Your message will be directed to the proper service, which should result in a faster reply. Thank you very much in advance.