Resistomap accelerates environmental monitoring of antibiotic resistance in Indonesia
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat that causes more than 1,2 million deaths each year. Biotechnology company Resistomap offers easy-to-use methods to monitor the environment for antibiotic resistance. Due to its positive development effects, the company has received funding from the Developing Markets Platform for co-creation of innovations in developing markets.
More and more bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics. Excessive use and abuse of antibiotics accelerate the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Resistance spreads when antibiotics are absorbed into the environment, for example, through wastewater and sludge. Resistant bacteria is also spread with imported animals, foodstuffs, and travelers.
“In Finland, the effectiveness of antibiotics is still good, but the fight against AMR must be taken seriously. In developing countries, due to the use of antibiotics is not strictly regulated and lack of sanitation infrastructure such as urban wastewater treatment plants, the situation is getting worse all the time, and people are dying from infections for which antibiotics are no longer effective,” explains CEO Windi Muziasari.
Founded by Muziasari and William Nurmi in 2018, Resistomap Oy is a pioneer in the environmental monitoring of antibiotic resistance.
“By combining the methods of molecular genetics with data science, we can offer a comprehensive service for monitoring antibiotic resistance in hospitals, primary and food production, wastewater, and sludge treatment plants, as well as monitoring waters, soil, and sediments,” Muziasari lists the countless applications of the technology.
“We have analyzed nearly 18 000 samples from 45 different countries, and the situation is worrying. Over 65 percent of the samples exceed the background for antibiotic resistance levels in the environment.”
Resistomap is starting an AMR surveillance pilot in Indonesia
Muziasari participated in the World Water Forum in Bali in May and launched the municipal wastewater AMR monitoring pilot at the local wastewater treatment plant.
“The purpose of the pilot is to validate and optimize the AMR monitoring of wastewater treatment plants in Indonesia. Five treatment plants from different parts of Indonesia are participating in the testing,” says Muziasari.
Resistomap’s goal with local partners is to develop a sustainable service concept for routinely monitoring Indonesia’s wastewater and environment and combating antibiotic resistance.
“Together with our partners, we upgrade the technology used in Indonesia and create new researcher-level jobs.” 
The local partners include the Indonesia One Health University Network (INDOHUN) and PT Saraswanti Indo Genetech (SIG Laboratory).
DevPlat provides funding for the co-creation of development innovations
The Developing Markets Platform (DevPlat) aims to help Finnish companies and their partners enter developing markets and incorporate the UN’s sustainable development goals into their business operations.
“To get the funding, the solution must promote the UN’s sustainable development goals, in addition to having the commercial and financial conditions to succeed,” Minh Lam emphasizes.
Lam works as an investment and development specialist at DevPlat in Indonesia.
Lam points out that the DevPlat support is additional funding for existing RDI projects funded by Business Finland or completed within a year. You can get a maximum of 300,000 euros and 75 percent of the costs. The company must also have a de minimis quota remaining when applying for funding.
Currently, Business Finland can accept continius applications until September 30, 2024.
Muziasari’s experience with the application process is positive.
“I found the DevPlat application process easier than my previous ones,” Muziasari emphasises.
RESISTOMAP
Resistomap Oy is a growth company founded in 2018. Its developed technology monitors antimicrobial resistance in the environment.
The company’s founder and CEO, Windi Muziasari, is from Indonesia and moved to Finland in 2010. She has a PhD from the Department of Microbiology of the University of Helsinki.
