Dr. Hardy Kietzmann: Back in 2015, I was analyzing various NGS projects as a consultant at the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft. The focus was on identifying which topics could be advanced internally and which had the potential to succeed independently. Noscendo stood out because it checked all the boxes for a promising start-up: the product offered clear medical benefits, the technology was cutting-edge, and the business model was solid. I still see it that way today.
Dr. Peter Haug: As a strong, collaborative team, we refined the technology and established Noscendo as an independent company in 2017. This step was encouraged by the medical community, including institutions like the University Hospital in Heidelberg.
Today, with DISQVER®, we provide a digital, IVDR-compliant diagnostic solution capable of identifying 1,500 pathogens in a very short timeframe - without requiring any prior assumptions. Both clinicians and published studies confirm the significant impact of this approach. For instance, the higher positivity rate of NGS/DISQVER® has been validated in numerous publications.
We’ve also seen that experienced clinicians adjust their anti-infective therapies in over 40% of cases based on DISQVER® results, leading to improved patient outcomes. Despite these successes, DISQVER® is still not widely used in German hospitals. However, with the introduction of the new selective contract, we’re optimistic that this will change and accelerate adoption.
Dr. Peter Haug: Based on the results of the DigiSep trial, a selective contract was signed in August 2025 between BARMER, Essen University Hospital, and Noscendo. Under this agreement, BARMER policyholders suspected of having sepsis receive a DISQVER® test alongside standard diagnostic analyses, with the option for a second test if medically necessary during their hospital stay. The contract is open to other clinics and health insurance providers across Germany, and we are already in discussions with several organizations.
Dr. Hardy Kietzmann: The German healthcare system is built around treatment guidelines, which are essential for defining standards of care and reimbursement. However, integrating new procedures into these guidelines requires more than just positive study results. The experts responsible for developing the guidelines must first be convinced of the benefits. Beyond that, the Joint Federal Committee (Gemeinsame Bundesausschuss, G-BA) must decide whether the procedure will be included in the catalogue of services covered by the statutory health insurance. Both of these steps take time, but integrated care contracts can serve as an important interim solution.
Dr. Peter Haug: Absolutely. Another key factor is that a new diagnostic solution must integrate seamlessly into the “hospital system.” For DISQVER® to be implemented effectively, it needs to align with the existing workflows between clinicians, microbiology departments, and laboratories. This integration is already working well in clinics with in-house laboratories. The next step will be expanding our partnerships with external laboratory service providers to further extend access to DISQVER®.
Dr. Hardy Kietzmann: Let me share a personal experience to illustrate this. Last year, I returned from a trip to Costa Rica with a high fever and chills. Despite undergoing a series of conventional diagnostic tests at the Charité Tropical Institute in Berlin, no diagnosis could be made. It was only through DISQVER® that the pathogen was identified as Leptospira, which confirmed the appropriate antibiotic treatment. Thanks to an integrated care contract, my health insurance covered the diagnostic costs, but my bed neighbor did not have access to this advanced technology. In cases like these, timely and precise diagnostics can literally be a matter of life and death.
Dr. Peter Haug: In my opinion, diagnostics are significantly underfunded compared to therapy. Accurate diagnostics provide patients with better-targeted treatments and improved outcomes. They also benefit society as a whole by reducing healthcare costs and enabling the more targeted use of antibiotics.
Dr. Hardy Kietzmann: The Joint Federal Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring access to standard care, but it’s increasingly becoming a bottleneck for innovation. A reorganization of its processes is urgently needed to allow faster evaluation of new procedures and shorter mandatory decision-making timelines.
Dr. Hardy Kietzmann is a consultant in the field of digital health and medical technology with many years of experience in innovations for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostics. Among other things, he was Director of Innovation at Sanofi and specializes in digital health applications. As a mentor for start-ups, organizer of hackathons, and speaker at conferences, he is actively involved in the digital transformation of healthcare.
Dr. Peter Haug is Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of Noscendo GmbH.