Hallbergmoos / Neu-Isenburg, July 10, 2025 – vermicon AG and HTS Labs Frankfurt GmbH, a subsidiary of the CKM Group, have been awarded the contract in the latest public tender by the German Environment Agency (UBA) for wastewater surveillance, as part of the continuation of the AMELAG project (Wastewater Monitoring for the Epidemiological Assessment of the Situation). Together, they will carry out microbiological analysis of wastewater samples at 27 locations across ten federal states in 2025. The project is part of the AMELAG monitoring system initiated by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and UBA.

With the EU Urban Wastewater Directive taking effect in early 2025, the legal monitoring of selected pathogens in raw wastewater becomes mandatory. [1] The AMELAG project represents a key component of wastewater-based epidemiology in Germany. Its aim is to detect pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, and RSV at an early stage. The continuous analysis of wastewater samples serves as a reliable early warning system, enabling health authorities to identify outbreaks in time and take appropriate action.

Key Role in National Wastewater-Based Epidemiology

Active in wastewater-based epidemiology since 2020, vermicon AG brings nearly 30 years of experience in microbiological wastewater analysis. HTS Labs Frankfurt contributes to the project with highly automated lab processes and digital solutions. The two companies have been working together on the AMELAG project since the end of 2023. The renewed contract award by the UBA underscores their leading role in digital pathogen detection.

“The continuation of this collaboration marks an important milestone. With 30 years of experience in wastewater analysis and our proprietary precision methods, we are making a significant contribution to wastewater-based epidemiology,” says Dr. Jiri Snaidr, CEO of vermicon AG. Dr. Michael Bonin, CEO of HTS Labs, adds: “The combination of innovative microbiology, precise molecular diagnostics, and highly automated lab solutions makes our partnership unique and lays the foundation for successful project implementation.”

Regional Coverage and Analytical Focus

As part of the AMELAG project, a wide range of wastewater treatment plants across Germany will be sampled. The partner companies vermicon and HTS are responsible for 27 locations, including in regions such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein, Bremen, Brandenburg, Saxony, Thuringia, Hesse, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The remaining locations will continue to be managed through state-specific solutions.

In addition to further analysis of SARS-CoV-2, the analytical focus is on Influenza A+B and RSV A+B. In the long term, the scope may expand to include antibiotic resistance and other health-relevant parameters. Standardized sampling protocols, interlaboratory comparisons, and regular method audits ensure high quality standards and a reliable data basis. The digital integration of results into health systems supports decision-making by authorities and strengthens preventive structures.

New Standards for Access to Health Data

The project marks a strategic step toward connected prevention. With the help of digital infrastructures and scalable processes, access to health data is not only made more efficient but also more accessible.

The continued collaboration between vermicon and HTS Labs Frankfurt stands not only for excellent project execution but also for the transition toward data-driven and prevention-oriented healthcare. With their combined technological and diagnostic expertise, both companies strengthen the knowledge base and response capabilities of health authorities across Germany.

Sources

[1] Official Journal of the European Union: DIRECTIVE (EU) 2024/3019 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 November 2024 on the treatment of urban wastewater. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202403019

[1] Association of Local Utilities (VKU): VKU Position Paper on the "Implementation of the Urban Wastewater Directive in Germany". https://www.vku.de/vku-positionen/kommunale-wasserwirtschaft/vku-positionspapier-umsetzung-der-eu-kommunalabwasserrichtlinie/

About vermicon AG

vermicon AG offers microbiological solutions by developing and marketing products and services for the detection of microorganisms. With over 25 years of unique microbiological expertise and cultivation-independent methods, vermicon is able to directly identify, quantify, and visualize microorganisms in samples. The company’s technology portfolio includes modern and innovative technologies that enable direct microbiology. www.vermicon.com

About HTS Labs Frankfurt GmbH

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

About the CKM Group

The CKM Group is a healthcare company founded in 2020 in Dillenburg, focused on digital and hybrid care models. Today, more than 200 specialists work in a proprietary clinic, a modern medical laboratory, and an IT service provider toward a connected healthcare system. CKM’s Hybrid Healthcare Platform integrates previously isolated digital and analog healthcare services to enable sustainable business models and improve access to high-quality care through efficiency and new synergies. The CKM Group stands for expertise, entrepreneurial drive, connectivity, and integrity—setting new standards in healthcare with Hybrid Healthcare. www.ckmgroup.de.

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