DeepVerge PLC (LON:DVRG) said it can now begin to roll out its Microtox PD water contamination system to enable early detection of Coronavirus (COVID-19) hotspots after successful completion of field trials and an agreement with a third-party installer.
The system achieved real-time detection and transmission of data, specific to SARS-CoV-2 particles, in wastewater treatment plants at multiple sites.
On the back of this trial, DeepVerge entered into a master service agreement for Microtox PD to be installed and maintained by water and wastewater management company EPS Group, which works across the European utility, industrial, commercial, residential and agricultural sectors.
Subject to negotiation with undisclosed parties, EPS has the potential to be installed in multiple European countries, the company said.
DeepVerge chief executive Gerard Brandon said the Phase 3 trials demonstrates the capability of Microtox PD to identify dangerous pathogens in real-time, including SARS-CoV-2 virus particles.
Installing Microtox PD wastewater units will enable live data to simultaneously identify the source of COVID-19 cases as well as identify COVID-19 clusters with the ability to indicate the size of each cluster, he explained.
“By establishing a permanent anonymised mass surveillance of wastewater, DeepVerge claims a world first real-time defence against this global pandemic,” Brandon said.
“As the data grows, the central AI system has the potential to predict the trajectory of growth of future clusters of SARS-CoV-2 or any future dangerous pathogen.”
He added that EPS Group will complete the final step of installing, retrofitting and maintaining the Microtox PD equipment.
“With this level of established technical engineering support and distribution, DeepVerge can now offer an end-to-end solution for public and private clients across the European wastewater sector. We expect updates from our joint venture agreement with China Resources and roll-out in the US to follow early in Q3," he added.
EPS Group managing director Patrick Buckley said the firm’s 550 personnel across Europe are “ready to make this happen”.