Dräger AG Invests in Digital Health Startup GWA Hygiene
Digital hygiene solutions for hospitals
Dräger AG (Lübeck, Germany) and digital health startup GWA hygiene (Stralsund, Germany) announced that Dräger will become GWA Hygiene’s newest investor. GWA Hygiene has developed an electronic monitoring system for hand hygiene in hospitals. Before the current financing round, it attracted investments from other well-known funders in Germany, including venture capital firm MIG Fonds and High-Tech Gründerfonds, which, since 2018, has invested several million Euros in the company.
Symbolic image
pixabay.com
GWA Hygiene’s technology serves an acute need: reducing hospital infections and alleviating the burdens on staff due to shortages – two factors presenting an increasing threat to patient care and safety. GWA Hygiene offers a simple and technologically sophisticated solution to help healthcare facilities reduce the risk for the spread of infections. The company’s NosoEx® digital assistant for infection control provides detailed data reports on the disinfection of hospital equipment and the general environment.
"No time for hygiene measures – we hear this statement from hospital staff more and more frequently. We believe the goal must be to optimize hygiene processes to allow more time for patient care. After an initial exchange with Dräger, we quickly realized that it shares the same ambition. Together, with help from NosoEx® and additional digital solutions, we will partner to improve working conditions for hospital staff and improve patient safety", Tobias Gebhardt, CEO of GWA Hygiene.
"Dräger has experience developing and distributing successful digital solutions for hospitals including the Integrated Care Manager (ICM) for digital care and treatment documentation and Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) for tracking medical equipment. With the investment in GWA Hygiene technology and the support of GWA colleagues, we will expand our RTLS system Dräger Discover to support hygiene routines. By doing so, we hope to strengthen and improve workflows in acute care", Jens Altmann, President, Business Unit IT & Systems at Dräger.
The synergies between Dräger and GWA Hygiene are evident in their common activities. For example, the two companies started a pilot project in a neonatal intensive care unit in 2021. In this setting, risks of infection could be identified with digital solutions.
The fresh capital from Dräger will be invested in further development of digital hygiene solutions as well as sales and internationalization. NosoEx® projects are already running with partners in several European countries. This funding will allow an intensified roll-out across Europe.
"Digitization is a key element of efficient and reliable hygiene management in hospitals and NosoEx® has the potential to set a new standard. We are happy to welcome Dräger as a new investor and strategic partner. Companies, hospitals and above all, patients, will benefit from this cooperation", Matthias Guth, Venture Partner, MIG Capital.
"We are happy that Dräger as a fund investor of the HTGF supports GWA Hygiene with a direct investment now. We are looking forward to the further development and commercialization of digital solutions by GWA Hygiene that support the safety of patients", Dr. Anke Caßing, Principal at High-Tech Gründerfonds.
Other news from the department business & finance
Get the life science industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for biotechnology, pharma and life sciences brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
Most read news
More news from our other portals
Something is happening in the life science industry ...
This is what true pioneering spirit looks like: Plenty of innovative start-ups are bringing fresh ideas, lifeblood and entrepreneurial spirit to change tomorrow's world for the better. Immerse yourself in the world of these young companies and take the opportunity to get in touch with the founders.
