LYVA Labs invests £100K for game-changing UTI detection device

LYVA Labs has announced a £100,000 investment into CCI Photonics Ltd (CCI) – a Lancaster University spin-out developing a breakthrough med-tech device that could revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

The investment from LYVA Labs will help develop this cutting-edge point-of-care diagnostic test, that will provide results in just 15 minutes, identifying not only the presence of bacteria but also the most effective antibiotic treatment – a crucial step in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Current methods for testing the bacteria that cause UTIs can take up to 72 hours. This can result in patients initially being treated with the wrong antibiotic for their infection, or multiple antibiotics, over a period, which has poor outcomes for anti-microbial resistance.

CCI is led by CEO, Doctor Carlos Meza and co-founders Professor Craig Williams, and Professor Ihtesham Rehman. Doctor Meza said: “The investment will help to speed up the process of bringing our device to market, strengthen our quality management system as we prepare for regulatory approval, and develop our route-to-market strategy.”

LYVA Labs investment team. Picture by Gareth Jones

CCI Photonics has recently moved to Sci-tech Daresbury and has partnered with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, to further validate their technology. The start-up is currently taking part in the LYVA Labs’ incubator programme.

Head of Investments, Akshay Bhatnagar, added: “LYVA Labs is excited to support Carlos and the team to develop this game-changing technology with the potential to help UTI sufferers all over the world and combat the scourge of antimicrobial resistance. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Carlos throughout our incubator programme and look forward to supporting CCI as shareholders.”

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority invested £10.5m into LYVA Labs to support innovators to turn great ideas into high-growth businesses, as part of Mayor Rotheram’s ambition to invest 5% of regional GVA into research and development (R&D) by 2030.