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A virus doesn’t need a name to be found.

A virus doesn’t need a name to be found.

VirusHunter is patented, virus-agnostic diagnostic approach designed to capture and identify potentially pathogenic viruses from a single sample, without requiring a predefined viral target. Invented at Ruđer Bošković Institute this technology is now further developed and commercialized by BioDetect Solutions. 

VirusHunter is patented, virus-agnostic diagnostic approach designed to capture and identify potentially pathogenic viruses from a single sample, without requiring a predefined viral target. Invented at Ruđer Bošković Institute this technology is now further developed and commercialized by BioDetect Solutions. 

Explore the technology

Most virus diagnostic tests begin with an assumption. With our test there is no more guessing. 

TRADITIONAL DIAGNOSTICS

Conventional diagnostics are highly effective when the suspected virus is already known. They rely on selecting a predefined target before testing begins. When the assumption is correct, the result is clear. When it is not, additional testing may be required.

VIRUSHUNTER DIAGNOSTICS

VirusHunter follows a different logic. Instead of starting with a suspected virus, it begins with what is actually present in the sample. By capturing viral particles before identification, the technology is designed to expand detection beyond predefined targets.

VirusHunter in a nutshell.

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FROM ONE SAMPLE

With VirusHunter we get answer from a single sampling with no need for amplification or repeating the sample collection.

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NO PREDEFINED VIRUS TARGET

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With VirusHunter there is no need to define or assume which virus to look for.

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KNOWN OR NOT YET KNOWN VIRUS

With VirusHunter we can identify any virus, the one we have already encountered before, but also a completely unknown virus.

TECHNOLOGY

Designed to capture what others are not looking for.

VirusHunter uses proprietary baits designed to capture any potentially pathogenic virus directly from a sample. Captured viruses are identified by mass spectrometry or Nanopore sequencing.

  • PATENTED TECHNOLOGY

  • VIRUSHUNTER BAITS

  • PATENTED TECHNOLOGY

  • VIRUSHUNTER BAITS

  • PATENTED TECHNOLOGY

  • VIRUSHUNTER BAITS

  • PATENTED TECHNOLOGY

  • VIRUSHUNTER BAITS

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

One technology.
Multiple applications.

VirusHunter is being developed as a flexible technology platform with potential applications across human health, veterinary medicine, environmental surveillance and biosafety.

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Human Health

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Animal Health

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Environmental Surveillance

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Biosafety

LEADING APPLICATION

Respiratory virus diagnostic test.

Rapid, accurate testing identifies any respiratory virus early, helping clinicians make precise treatment decisions and prevent the spread of infection.

ABOUT US

Built on science. Led by experience.

VirusHunter is being developed by BioDetect Solutions, a Croatian biotechnology company built on scientific expertise in virus biology and detection. The company combines research with product development to advance new approaches to identifying emerging viral threats.

Founders

Prof. Andreja Ambriović Ristov, PhD

CEO, CO-FOUNDER

Andreja is a molecular biologist, tenured senior scientist, and Head of the Laboratory for Cell Biology and Signal Transduction at the Ruđer Bošković Institute. As a co-inventor of VirusHunter, she brings extensive expertise in adenoviral vectors and cell biology, particularly cell adhesion. She combines scientific expertise with extensive experience in research, mentoring, education, scientific leadership, and innovation, and is now advancing patented technology toward commercialisation.

Dragomira Majhen, PhD

CTO, CO-FOUNDER

Dragomira is a molecular biologist and senior scientist at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, specializing in viral vectors, adenovirus biology, and virus–host interactions. As a co-inventor of the VirusHunter platform, she brings deep virological expertise to the development of precise virus detection technologies. Her work bridges fundamental molecular research and practical innovation, helping translate scientific insights into accessible tools for identifying and responding to viral threats.

Dr. Dragomira Majhen is molecular biologist and senior scientist at the Ruđer Bošković Institute. With the research focused on viral vectors, adenovirus biology, and virus-host interactions, her scientific expertise forms a core pillar of the VirusHunter technology. Co-inventing this platform, she leverages deep virological insight to develop precise virus diagnostics, translating basic molecular research into accessible tools to detect virus threats.

  • PATENTED TECHNOLOGY

  • VIRUSHUNTER BAITS

  • PATENTED TECHNOLOGY

  • VIRUSHUNTER BAITS

SUPPORTED BY

This operation benefits from support from the European Union under the InvestEU Fund. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union and any other listed partner. Neither the European Union, and any other listed partner, nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.