Microvi Completes NIEHS Chromium Program, Demonstrating Commercial-Ready Performance for Affordable Cr(VI) Compliance
Hayward, CA (January 29, 2026) – Microvi Biotech Inc. today announced the successful completion of its National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) program for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) treatment—marking a major milestone toward safer, more affordable drinking water compliance in California and beyond. Cr(VI) is linked to increased cancer risk, and California has adopted a 10 ppb maximum contaminant level (MCL).
Chromium in water can stem from natural sources as well as industrial activities including paints, metal production, and manufacturing processes. Its presence can have significant public health impacts, and chromium contamination continues to be a widespread compliance challenge for water systems—particularly in regions with naturally occurring chromium.
Through nearly $1.5 million in combined NIH Phase I + Phase II funding, Microvi advanced and validated its MicroNiche™ Engineering (MNE™) biocatalyst technology—a proprietary fusion of targeted biology and material science designed to deliver high-rate, reliable chromium reduction with simplified operations and lower lifecycle costs. This program completion positions Microvi’s chromium solution for commercialization and broader deployment as utilities seek cost-effective compliance without compromising sustainability.
In collaboration with Sunny Slope Water Company, Microvi’s MNE technology achieved:
93–98% Cr(VI) removal over six (6) months at a combined 210 GPM, producing treated water with average Cr(VI) < 1 ppb and total chromium < 2 ppb
Operational resilience: performance returned within ~2 hours after routine shutdowns
~50% lower O&M costs versus conventional chemical reduction–coagulation–filtration
Sustainability advantage: residual streams evaluated as non-hazardous for sewer discharge, reducing disposal complexity and “sludge burden” relative to chemical approaches
“Completing this federal program is a major step forward in delivering commercial-ready chromium treatment for utilities,” said Ameen Razavi, Chief Innovation Officer of Microvi. “We demonstrated durable performance at meaningful flow rates while cutting operational costs—exactly what utilities need for compliant, scalable solutions that are simpler to run and better for the environment.”
With the NIEHS program complete, Microvi is moving forward with commercialization efforts and is engaging water systems seeking a cost-effective route to Cr(VI) compliance—especially those looking to minimize chemical consumption, simplify operations, and reduce residuals management.
About Microvi
Microvi is an applied biotechnology company based in the San Francisco Bay Area that develops and commercializes next-generation biosolutions to address critical challenges in climate change, water, energy, waste, health, and environmental sustainability. Powered by its proprietary MicroNiche Engineering™ (MNE) platform, Microvi delivers proven, high-performance biosolutions worldwide – reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste while increasing productivity and cost-efficiency for its customers. Microvi’s scaleable biosolutions are deployed globally across diverse sectors, providing disruptive economic value for industry partners and ultimately contributing to a cleaner environment and healthier communities. Learn more at Microvi Biotech.
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