DVRG.L Regulatory News (DVRG)

6 May 2021

DeepVerge PLC

 ("DeepVerge" or "the Company")

New AI centre of excellence in Cork, Ireland to play key role in real-time detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Ireland and across Europe 

Irish headcount, based on growing demand, expected to triple in 2021 adding up to 60 new hires for roles in data science, physics and epidemiology

DeepVerge (LSE:DVRG.L), announces the expansion of the data and technology division, Rinocloud, into Moorepark Technology Centre ("MTC") in Fermoy, Cork, Ireland. The facility, expected to be ready in Q3, includes laboratory and engineering production units that will establish a European centre of excellence for real-time detection of multiple dangerous pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, in water and wastewater systems.

The Artificial Intelligence MTC will also facilitate research, development and assembly of Rinocloud's' patent pending optofluidic rigs in order to meet immediate and local demand for infrastructural installations of real time SARS-CoV-2 detection in Ireland and across Europe in wastewater. High-skilled roles include epidemiologists, physicists and data scientists.

Gerry Brandon, DeepVerge CEO commented:

"For 5 years, Rinocloud has been a driving innovator in real-time detection of dangerous pathogens such as E.Coli, in drinking water through its' RAWTest[i] program, partly funded by the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland. Following on from the recent MoU signed with China Resources[ii] and the York, UK laboratories, this EU facility expands DeepVerge's capability to design, produce and assemble instruments on two continents, playing a key role in Ireland, UK and Europe, detecting and monitoring current and future outbreaks of COVID-19"

Water-based epidemiology is not new and will not end with this pandemic[iii]. Examining wastewater for evidence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is an internationally recognised tool used by many governments to assess the rate of infection across populations in the community. Such programs act as "Early Warning Systems" detecting community spread, including symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 subjects.

In March the European Union Commission published recommendations on the systematic surveillance of COVID and in wastewater[iv] and on Friday (April 30th 2021) the Irish government announced their plan to follow this recommendation[v] and begin testing wastewater to detect SARS-CoV-2 levels in the community.

RAWTest data solutions adapted to Modern Water wastewater units

The Rinocloud AI based data solutions have been adapted and installed into DeepVerge's environmental division Microtox© and Microtrace© units[vi]. These units were originally designed to detect, but not identify in real-time, up to 2,700 contaminants in water. The units now include the ability to immediately identify SARS-CoV-2 contaminants in wastewater. The Microtox Pathogen Detection ("Microtox© PD")[vii] systems combine technologies such as microfluidics, photonics and AI using proven techniques from micro-engineering, microbiology and artificial intelligence and have typically been used to detect other harmful pathogens such as E.Coli. Over the last 9 months, Microtox© PD units have achieved the ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater.

This MTC project represents an exciting initiative for community control of the current global health crisis and early warning of future pandemics. The Microtox© PD platform, using AI and data analytics, is relevant for governments, cities, local authorities, industries, military, corporates, transport companies, etc. urgently seeking real-time identification of local COVID-19 hotspots with the potential to predict contagion spread and the risk of fresh outbreaks. In addition to SARS-CoV-2, Microtox© PD units have positively detected and identified E.coli bacteria in drinking water with 99.3% accuracy in 3.37 seconds. Current standard test results after sampling typically return in 2-5 days.

About DeepVerge plc (www.deepverge.com)

DeepVerge is a scientific research and AI-as-a-Service company focused on production and analysis of bacteria, virus and toxins utilising artificial intelligent data analytics in regulatory technology, from scientifically proving the impact of skincare product claims on skin microbiome for top 20 global cosmetic company clients to remotely detecting water contamination in real-time.

About Modern Water

In November 2020, DeepVerge acquired Modern Water who developed and commercialised a cutting-edge Microtox© and Microtrace© technology, focused on monitoring contaminated water and decontamination of wastewater, making recycling of water more efficient. Six countries across the world have legislated that Modern Water monitoring test systems are written into their environmental protection legislation. Modern Water provides real-time water contamination products, Microtox© PD, for the identification of pathogens, which include the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19 disease and to quickly alert for hotspots before spreading throughout the community.

About Rinocloud

A division of the life science and environmental monitoring divisions of DeepVerge, dedicated to using artificial intelligence to solve pervasive threats to the environment and human well being. The addition of the site in Fermoy, Cork, Ireland expands microfluidics, photonics, mass spectroscopy, next generation gene sequencing and engineering capabilities to the company's AI division and is within the European Union.