Developed by ALS as part of the SMARTgNOTICS consortium, which brings together public and private Portuguese entities, the device will begin trials this year in both humans and animals, including at CUF Hospitals and the Lusiaves Group.

According to ALS, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat worldwide, causing increasing numbers of deaths and posing serious risks to both human and veterinary health. The company believes this new technology could transform the way infections are diagnosed and treated, providing a faster and more accurate response.

“These devices identify the bacteria that cause infection and, for the first time in Portugal, will be used simultaneously by two national institutions,” ALS explained, stressing that only with precise bacterial identification can the correct antibiotic be prescribed.

The launch coincided with a roundtable in Viseu dedicated to antimicrobial resistance, bringing together national experts. Manuela Caniça, head of the National Reference Laboratory for Antibiotic Resistance at Portugal’s National Institute of Health, noted that the United Nations has already underlined the importance of investment in diagnostics, vaccines, and alternative treatments, as well as the need for collective global action.

Other experts, including researchers Patrícia Poeta and Sílvio Santos, stressed the urgency of integrated “One Health” strategies, public education, rapid diagnostic tools, and innovation in new treatments such as bacteriophage-based approaches. Joana Lemos, from CUF, highlighted the daily challenges faced by healthcare professionals, from longer hospital stays to higher mortality linked to AMR.

ALS, headquartered in Tondela, is a global leader in technical and laboratory services across the life sciences, energy, and industrial sectors.