altona industrial leader in Viromarkers research project

altona Diagnostics is part of the Viromarkers project, a European research initiative dedicated to advancing virus-related biomarkers for the management of chronic infections, which officially launched in Rome, Italy, on April 3–4, 2025. Backed by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI JU), Viromarkers brings together more than 50 researchers and industry partners from across Europe. The collaboration unites leading virologists, clinicians, bioinformaticians, and biotech experts to identify and validate biomarkers for HIV, Hepatitis D (HDV), and Cytomegalovirus (CMV), with a special focus on improving outcomes for immunocompromised individuals.

Being part of the industry side of the consortium, altona is taking on the role of industrial project lead, contributing a specialized workflow for HDV RNA quantification.

“Viromarkers is an exceptional collaboration at the intersection of cutting-edge science and industrial innovation,” says Sabina Schaal, who represents altona in the project. “We are honored to support the development of novel diagnostic solutions that have real-world impact.”

Viromarkers is structured around multiple specialized work packages. These range from modeling HIV susceptibility to broadly neutralizing antibodies, to developing HDV biomarkers for Bulevirtide treatment response, to validating early indicators for CMV reactivation in transplant patients. By uniting scientific expertise with industrial innovation, the project is set to deliver solutions that are not only scientifically robust but also practical and transformative for real-world healthcare. By bridging the gap between research and industry, Viromarkers will pave the way for cutting-edge diagnostic tools that enhance precision, guide treatment decisions, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. The project’s findings will be made available to the scientific community, regulators, and healthcare providers – ensuring widespread adoption of validated biomarkers in clinical practice for the greater benefit of society.

The Viromarkers project is supported by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) under grant agreement No 101194735. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and COCIR, EFPIA, Europa Bío, MedTech Europe, Vaccines Europe and Roboscreen. The total cost of the project is € 4 358 845,00 with an EU contribution of € 2 329 503,75 and a contribution from industrial partners worth € 2 029 341,25.

Read the full press release

Learn more about the Viromarkers project

Learn more about the Innovative Health Initiative