German BioTech Startup Detechgene Secures €3.2 Million Funding

The round was led by neoteq ventures and supported by NRW.BANK, Aquarius Invest, Meerkat Holding, Campus Capital, and several strategic business angels.

“We are very grateful to our investors for their confidence in our team and our technology. Together, we are shaping the future of diagnostics – faster, more decentralized and more user-friendly than ever before,” says Dr Reza Esmaillie, Managing Director of Detechgene.

Founded in 2022 by Dr. Reza Esmaillie and Dr. Robin Bayer as a spin-off from the Nephrolab at University Hospital Cologne Medicine II, Detechgene is developing "PCR to Go" a portable molecular diagnostics platform designed to deliver lab-level accuracy in the field.

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Their compact device can detect viruses, bacteria and fungi in under 30 minutes, combining the precision of PCR testing with the simplicity of rapid antigen tests. Requiring no specialised equipment, it enables on-the-spot diagnostics in settings ranging from rural GP clinics to low-resource healthcare environments worldwide.

B.J. Park, Managing Partner, Neoteq Ventures, says, “Detechgene is tackling a global challenge with a solution that's fast, mobile and precise without compromising on the standards of laboratory diagnostics. What impressed us is not just the technology, but the execution strength of the team. We're proud to support this kind of DeepTech innovation coming out of Cologne.”

The new funding will support Detechgene in commercialising its platform and scaling up production, with plans to target both the German healthcare market and international expansion.

As healthcare systems face a growing demand for decentralised, cost-effective diagnostics, Detechgene’s technology offers a timely solution that combines speed, accuracy, and accessibility in one portable device.

Dr. Christoph Labisch (Managing Director, Aquarius Invest GmbH) adds: “The successful completion of this financing round sends a strong signal: Detechgene is bringing molecular diagnostics where it is needed quickly, accurately and on the go. The team not only delivers excellent technology but has also demonstrated its ability to scale. We at Aquarius Invest are delighted to be part of this development.”

NRW.BANK, a long-time supporter of Detechgene since 2021 through programs like NRW.SeedCon and NRW.SeedCap, is also participating in this funding round with an investment of over €600,000.

“Startups in the healthcare sector not only need scientific excellence, but also reliable financing,” explained Johanna Antonie Tjaden-Schulte, Member of the Board of Managing Directors at NRW.BANK

With public health systems worldwide facing staffing shortages, diagnostic delays and growing pressure to decentralise care, point-of-care technologies like PCR to Go have the potential to be transformative.

Detechgene aims to improve patient outcomes through fast, accurate diagnoses while also cutting costs and enhancing infection control by delivering results instantly at the point of need.

About Detechgene

Detechgene, a spin-off from the University Hospital Cologne's Nephrolab, has developed a fast and precise cartridge system for nucleic acid detection. Easy to use without extra equipment, it delivers lab-quality pathogen detection on-site. This technology enables quick and accurate diagnoses anywhere, opening diverse market opportunities for tailored diagnostic tests.