Winner of Rheinland Award 2025

Detechgene Wins Rheinland Award 2025 in the Founding Category

We are thrilled to announce that Detechgene GmbH has won the Rheinland Award 2025 in the Founding category, further cementing its position as a leading biotech startup in Cologne and the surrounding Rhineland region.

The Wirtschaftsnacht Rheinland 2025, organized by KStA Medien in partnership with organizations like Köln Business and Sparkasse KölnBonn, honors outstanding companies from the Rhineland in categories such as Founding, Technology, and Sustainability. The award ceremony on November 4, 2025 was the highlight of a networking evening celebrating the region’s economic strength.

Detechgene impressed the jury in the Founding category with its innovative PCR rapid test, which detects viruses, bacteria, and fungi in under 30 minutes outside a laboratory. Founders Dr. Reza Esmaillie and Dr. Robin Bayer combined the precision of PCR with the simplicity of antigen testing—a breakthrough recently supported by €3.3 million in funding.

The Express hailed Detechgene as a Cologne biotech startup revolutionizing medical care, particularly in clinics and remote areas. Manfred Janssen, CEO of Köln Business, highlighted in his laudation the close collaborations with clinics, the societal benefits, and the focus on urgent care needs—all factors that convinced the jury.

Winning the Rheinland Award underscores Detechgene’s pioneering role in digital health in Cologne and the surrounding area. Founded in 2022, the company works closely with local institutions such as the University Hospital Cologne. The award strengthens the regional profile, fosters networks with investors and partners, and signals the Rhineland’s appeal as a hub for life-science innovation.

We are proud of this milestone and see it as an inspiration to continue our mission: making innovative diagnostic solutions faster, more accessible, and life-saving.

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