About Aquila Bioscience
A University of Galway spin-out, founded in 2012, developing a biocide-free pathogen-capture platform.
Vision and mission
Vision
A healthier world protected by nature-inspired innovation.
Mission
To harness nature's mechanisms to develop pathogen-capture technologies that help protect people from harmful microorganisms.
- Evidence first
- No resistance pressure
- Safe on people
- Gentle downstream
- biodegradable glycan chemistry
History
2012
Founded by Lokesh Joshi at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG).
2013
EU PATHSENSE project for bacterial detection in water.
2015
European Defence Agency DCLAW project for biothreat agent capture.
2016–20
Research partnerships in PATHSENSE and DCLAW focused on pathogens.
2017
EU SME Phase 1 award to develop Glyco-DeCon technology.
2018–19
Developed Pathogen Capture Technology and filed intellectual property.
2020
Selected for the EU EIC Accelerator; delivered the Anti-BioAgent Device to first responders during COVID-19; US FDA Class I medical device registration.
2021
Continued ABD support for first responders; launched ProShield Mask Spray.
2022
PCT expanded beyond security and defence.
2023–24
Commercial partnerships; developed PathCap Swabs and Filters.
2024–25
Expanded partnerships and end-user trials.
2025–26
Joined the ESA Discovery Programme.
Team
Prof Lokesh Joshi
Founder
Founder and Director of Aquila Bioscience and Stokes Professor of Glycosciences at the University of Galway.
David Seow
CEO
Leads commercialisation, growth and global expansion, with over 15 years across finance, energy, manufacturing and executive leadership.
Dr Marta Utratna
Senior Scientist and Lead Principal Investigator
Works across microbiology, translational research and manufacturing.
Niall Mooney
Acting Financial Controller
About 15 years working closely with Aquila, with experience in finance, corporate accounting, research accounts and executive financial leadership.
Gillian Knight
HR Director
Over 20 years across compliance, strategy, recruitment and employee relations.
Jisna George
Research Assistant
Joined as a lab intern in 2023; works in biomedical science and biochemistry.
Advisory board
Lt. Col. Raymond Lane
Specialist Advisor
Former Irish Defence Forces officer advising on institutional and government markets.
Dr Seamus Kavanagh
Advisory Board
Head of Corporate Development at a global US medical device company; board member across healthcare companies; holds multiple medical device patents.
Careers
There are no open roles right now, but Aquila is always looking for talent. Culture is built on genuine intent, an open culture of learning, evidence first, and ownership and trust — and on living and working in Galway.
Get in touch- Founded
- 2012, University of Galway
- EU EIC Accelerator
- Selected 2020
- US FDA
- Registered facility
- ESA Discovery Programme
- Joined 2025–26
Licensing, co-development or research collaboration?
Start with a technical call.