Ground-breaking Human Trial for COVID 19 Rapid Breath Test to Start in June in Johannesburg
A highly accurate, non-invasive, disposable breath test that could detect virus before symptom onset could be on global market before end of 2020.
Cleveland, USA /Johannesburg, RSA, 25 May 2020: US-based Canary Health Technologies and South Africa based Ezintsha research group at the University of Witwatersrand, will collaborate on a groundbreaking trial to develop a rapid breath test for COVID-19 to deliver results on site in less than five minutes.
Using exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) found in human breath as biomarkers of the virus, this diagnostic test (COVID19 RT BAP) could potentially identify those who are acutely infected with COVID-19 as well as those who have not yet developed clinical symptoms. The rapid breath test could quickly detect persons at risk to reduce transmission. Trials in the U.K and US are also planned.
The first phase of the trial will use nanosensors to collect breath samples of COVID-19 positive patients and use cloud-based pattern recognition technology to determine if a COVID-19 breath pattern can be established with accuracy. Metabolic and immunologic changes as a result of diseases manifest in breath as a unique pattern.
Canary Health Technologies also used similar nanosensors and AI-powered technology in a human trial to detect lung cancer which showed high sensitivity and specificity. Pivotal trials for lung cancer detection is being planned in the US and Asia. Viral infections increase oxidative stress. The highly reactive free radicals produced by oxidative stress are powerful biomarkers of the diseases found in VOCs of human breath. COVID-19 may initiate oxidative stress by a similar mechanism observed in influenza virus pneumonia.
Raj Reddy, CEO of Canary Health Technologies said:
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Ezintsha which is a world-class research unit focused on health innovations. We are confident that our highly responsive sensors and proprietary software can detect COVID-19 in less than 5 minutes without the need of a lab. This handheld device with disposable sensors is ideal for use in doctors’ offices, nursing homes, airports and should be available before the end of the year. We aim to set the gold standard in COVID detection.”
Because these accurate, rapid diagnostic tests are analyzed in a cloud-based system, they can both detect the disease from the time of infection as well as provide real-time surveillance. Health authorities will be able to see disease hotspots in real time, to then respond quickly. Rapid diagnosis at airports and other high transmission areas will drastically reduce the potential for disease transmission, and allow COVID-free people more freedom of movement.
Professor Francois Venter, a world-renown infectious diseases expert, and Head of Ezintsha, said:
“We are very excited to partner with Canary on this game-changing technology. The holy grail is a real time, point of care device which can capture Volatile Organic Compounds or VOC as biomarkers. This could revolutionize testing for COVID, to then build a base to detect many other diseases. A noninvasive and accurate test that healthcare workers can carry in their pockets is a win-win for all.”
The initial phase of the trial will see the collection of breath samples from 150 people - both COVID-19 positive patients and those who do not have the virus. They will be asked to breathe for 3 minutes into the device. The device will then translate their breath biomarkers into electronic signals which will be transmitted to a centralized “lab in the cloud” for analysis. The human trial is due to start in South Africa by the end of June. Preliminary results are expected end of July. If this initial phase of the trial is successful, Canary Health Technologies will seek to move quickly into a pivotal trial with a larger sample size for expedited regulatory approval with the US FDA and other markets, for global use.
About Canary Health Technologies
Canary is a medical technology company that uses proven biomarkers, proprietary nanosensors and AI-powered software to map and uncover data in human breath so cancers, inflammatory and infectious diseases can be detected early and treated more successfully. The 3-minute digital test uses raw exhaled breath with no pre-processing or shipping of samples and with results in minutes. The cloud-based solution also enables real-time disease surveillance. The hand-held mobile platform is aimed to be used in primary healthcare settings with minimal infrastructure and training.
About Ezintsha
Ezintsha is a group of South African academics and health professionals who work with partners around the world. We apply new technology to health-related problems, and work to extend access to effective drugs in order for quality health care and medicine to be provided to everyone. Ezintsha was formed in 2019, and is a sub-division of Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute, which is part of the Wits Health Consortium at the University of the Witwatersrand, based in Johannesburg RSA.
Contacts:
Anna Wang - SVP, Corporate Affairs
Canary Health Technologies
Mohammed Majam - Director, Medical Technologies
Ezintsha