G42 Healthcare, NanoScent to collaborate on solution to detect Covid-19 within one minute

G42 Healthcare, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based technology company Group 42 (G42), and Israel-based NanoScent, signed an MoU to explore collaborations in the development, distribution and manufacturing of a disruptive solution capable of detecting Covid-19 from a sample of exhaled nasal air.

The Scent Check device detects a combination of volatile organic compounds, or “VOC Signature”, from exhaled nasal air that is derived from the host response to the Covid-19 infection. The air sample is captured through an “air trap”, a small bag fitted with a straw in which the tested subject needs to blow nasal air.

A machine learning based model is then used to analyse and diagnose the signature and provide the result of the test in 30 to 60 seconds, official news agency WAM reported.

The non-invasiveness and the rapidity of results give Scent Check – a firm specialising in scent reading technologies – the potential to transform the diagnostics industry globally. The solution enables testing in both large and small settings, without the need for complex infrastructure and cost-efficiently.

Ashish Koshy, CEO of G42 Healthcare, commented: “At G42 Healthcare we are at the forefront of the battle against Covid-19 and committed to developing impactful innovative programmes and solutions to improve and safeguard public health. Through this collaboration with NanoScent, we will be adding another powerful solution to our comprehensive diagnostics portfolio, which already includes PCR and LamPORE testing. This partnership also reaffirms the need to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic through a joint global effort in which best-in-breed organisations share their expertise and technologies for the benefit of society.

Oren Gavriely, CEO of NanoScent, said: “NanoScent is fortunate to take part in redefining the Middle East by providing cutting edge Covid-19 screening technologies to open the borders.״

G42 Healthcare will conduct thousands of tests of the new solution in the coming weeks to validate its efficacy and increase its accuracy prior market launch.

G42 Healthcare – in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) – is also managing the world’s first phase III trials of an inactivated vaccine for Covid-19, which successfully garnered 15,000 volunteers.

Read more: UAE hits target of 15,000 volunteers for Covid-19 vaccine phase III trials

In July, G42 also signed an MoU with Israeli defence technology company, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to collaborate on research and development of solutions to combat the Covid-19 virus.

Read also: Abu Dhabi-based G42 joins Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael to combat Covid-19