DirectSens
DirectSens develops and manufactures next-generation enzyme-based biosensors for healthcare diagnostics and food safety.
About
DirectSens is an Austrian biotechnology company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of advanced enzyme-based biosensors. Founded in 2013 as a spin-off of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), DirectSens translates scientific research into market-ready solutions for healthcare diagnostics, food safety, and industrial applications. The company is a pioneer in third-generation biosensor technology, focusing on direct electron transfer (DET) enzymes, which enable highly specific, stable, and oxygen-independent analyte detection. With ISO 9001-certified production and a team of ~30 employees, DirectSens addresses the analytical needs of industries requiring fast, precise, and easy-to-use products, such as on-site sugar and fermentation product measurement and clinical diagnostics (e.g., insulin resistance, gestational diabetes). Their innovation, manufacturing, and quality control are performed in-house, ensuring traceability and reliability from research to customer support.
Products & Services
- LactoSens® (lactose detection biosensor; now owned by Kerry Group, with DirectSens as contract manufacturer)
- OatSens® (glucose and maltose biosensor kit for oat/rice drinks)
- DirectSens® Maltose & Glucose Kit (biosensor system for cereals-based food and drinks)
- DirectSens® Alcohol Kit (biosensor for alcohol measurement in beverages)
- XpressGT® (clinical reagent kit for 2-hydroxybutyrate detection, enabling early diagnosis of insulin resistance, gestational diabetes, etc.)
- LactaZyme® enzyme solutions (for lactate detection in diagnostics and biosensors)
- LDH and LDH-DET and LOX enzymes (for biosensor applications)
- Custom enzyme discovery and engineering for biosensor integration
- OEM manufacturing and support services
- PC software for biosensor data management/analysis
- Technical and validation support
- Contract biosensor manufacturing
- Application support and training
Use Cases & Case Studies
- LactoSens® is widely used for rapid, accurate lactose detection in food and beverage manufacturing for regulatory compliance and process efficiency
- OatSens® enables sugar monitoring in oat/rice-based drinks for consistent taste and proper labeling
- DirectSens® Alcohol Kit supports quality control in non-alcoholic beer and juice manufacturing
- XpressGT® used for early diagnosis of insulin resistance, gestational diabetes, and liver disease
- Participation in external proficiency testing for labs (MUVA Kempten GmbH, DRRR)
Partnerships & Collaborations
- Collaboration with MetAGE (Austrian research consortium for healthy aging) on validation of XpressGT for early type 2 diabetes risk assessment
- Acquisition and partnership with Kerry Group (LactoSens® biosensor technology)
- Scientific and research collaboration with University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU)
- Collaborations with national funding agencies: AWS, FFG, Vienna Business Agency, Lisa Vienna
- Collaboration with Prof. Ele Ferrannini (CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy) on early diagnostics initiatives
Awards & Recognition
- Mercur Innovation Award 2017 (Life Science category) from Vienna Chamber of Commerce, also awarded as 'Start-up Star'
- Nominee for the Austrian State Prize Innovation and the SME Award Econovius (as representative of Vienna)
- BGF Gütesiegel (Austrian Quality Seal for Workplace Health Promotion, awarded 2025–2027)
- First Action Official Method of Analysis (OMA 2020.01) by AOAC International for LactoSens®R
- NordVal certificate for the LactoSens® biosensor (external food analysis certification)
Contact Information
Certifications & Compliance
- ISO 9001 certified production facility
- LactoSens® holds AOAC OMA and NordVal certifications
- Compliance with strict quality management procedures, including ISO 13485 in some operations