The project partners have been collaborating within the AMELAG program since 2023. They are now expanding their analytical capabilities to include the detection of clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes.

Hallbergmoos / Neu-Isenburg, October 20, 2026 – vermicon AG and HTS Labs Frankfurt are combining their expertise to support nationwide wastewater monitoring of antibiotic resistance. As part of the AMELAG program (Wastewater Monitoring for Epidemiological Surveillance), coordinated by the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), vermicon contributes nearly 30 years of experience in wastewater microbiology, along with specialized test kits and workflows for the quantitative detection of clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes. HTS Labs complements this expertise with high-throughput analysis, automated laboratory processes, and digitalized logistics and data management systems.

Why Wastewater Reveals Antibiotic Resistance

Resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes circulate between humans, animals, and the environment. Within this One Health context, wastewater plays a particularly important role. As a collective sample matrix, it captures inputs from various sources and provides insights into the occurrence and temporal development of relevant resistance genes. AMELAG provides the framework for systematically integrating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) into wastewater surveillance.
 

Focus on Clinically Relevant Resistance Genes

"Wastewater surveillance is evolving from monitoring individual pathogens toward providing a more comprehensive microbiological picture. Following viruses, antibiotic resistance genes are now coming into focus. This is a logical next step," explains Dr. Jiri Snaidr, microbiologist and CEO of vermicon AG.

Test kits are currently available for the resistance genes blaOXA-48-like, blaKPC, blaCTX-M, blaNDM, and sul1. These genes confer resistance to the antibiotic classes carbapenems, cephalosporins, and sulfonamides, which play important roles in clinical practice as last-resort treatments or standard therapies. The test kits enable quantitative measurement of gene concentrations in wastewater samples and allow changes to be tracked over time.

The qPCR VIT® test kits and AMR workflows developed by vermicon are used within the AMELAG program to analyze antibiotic resistance genes. The findings contribute to the further development of analytical methods, while additional relevant target genes are already under development.

"Effective monitoring requires reliable, standardized processes. By combining automated laboratory infrastructure with vermicon's microbiological expertise, we generate robust AMR data that can support future regulatory requirements," explains Dr. Michael Bonin, CEO of HTS Labs Frankfurt GmbH.
 

EU Directive Introduces Mandatory AMR Monitoring

Wastewater surveillance first gained widespread attention through the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2. Today, influenza viruses, RSV, and other viral targets are also being analyzed. Directive (EU) 2024/3019 explicitly establishes antimicrobial resistance monitoring as part of urban wastewater surveillance. Mandatory AMR monitoring is planned for agglomerations of 100,000 population equivalents (PE) and above.

The detection of a resistance gene in an individual sample initially indicates only that the gene is present. It does not directly identify the bacterial species carrying the gene or establish an immediate health risk. Monitoring becomes meaningful through standardized, repeated analyses and the observation of trends over extended periods.

HTS Labs and vermicon combine scalable laboratory processes with specialized wastewater analysis. Together, the companies aim to establish the analytical foundations for long-term, comparable monitoring of antibiotic resistance in wastewater.

About vermicon AG
Since its founding in 1997, vermicon AG has specialized in the analysis of complex microbial communities and has nearly 30 years of experience in wastewater microbiology. The company develops products and services for microbiological wastewater monitoring, wastewater surveillance, and active biomass monitoring. Since 2020, vermicon has also been actively involved in wastewater-based epidemiology, developing molecular biological analytical methods specifically optimized for wastewater.

About HTS Labs Frankfurt GmbH
HTS Labs Frankfurt, part of the CKM Group, is a laboratory specializing in high-throughput analysis, with leading expertise in digitalized and automated laboratory processes and data management, particularly in the healthcare sector.

About the CKM Group
The CKM Group is a healthcare group founded in Dillenburg, Germany, in 2020, with a focus on digital and hybrid healthcare models. Today, more than 200 specialists work across the group's own clinic, a modern medical laboratory, and an IT service provider to advance connected healthcare. The CKM Group's Hybrid Healthcare Platform integrates previously isolated digital and conventional healthcare services, creating new efficiencies and synergies to enable sustainable business models and improve access to high-quality healthcare. The CKM Group stands for expertise, entrepreneurial initiative, connectivity, and integrity. Through Hybrid Healthcare, it is setting new standards for the healthcare sector. www.ckmgroup.de.