Article Summary:
Philadelphia-based biotech LIV Process is developing a new technology that helps hospitals visualize dangerous microbes like Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) on surfaces — something traditional cleaning and inspection can’t reliably show.
Key points:
- What it does: Instead of just killing bacteria or spores, the company’s product uses a proprietary solution and special light to make microscopic pathogens visible on surfaces without needing a microscope. This lets hospital staff see where contamination remains after cleaning.
- Why it matters: C. diff is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections in the U.S., infecting hundreds of thousands and causing tens of thousands of deaths annually. Because its spores are hard to eradicate and invisible with the naked eye, hospitals struggle to verify that disinfection has worked.
- How it’s being used: The technology was showcased at IDWeek 2025 and has drawn interest from major health systems for validation and rollout. A broader contract with the U.S. Veterans Health Administration is underway to deploy the tool across many VA hospitals to help verify cleaning and reduce infection spread.
- Broader potential: While the immediate focus is acute-care settings, the company sees applications in long-term care, home care, food safety, and public environments.