US based companies, Canary Health Technologies and SmartShape Design, have collaborated to create ASU Detect CV19, an ultra-rapid, highly accurate breath test device for the detection of COVID-19.  The hand-held digital test requires minimal training and can be performed at the point of care, without the need of a laboratory. 

Using exhaled volatile organic compounds found in human breath as biomarkers of the virus, ASU Detect CV19 is designed to detect the virus in people that are exhibiting symptoms or asymptomatic. While current available tests measure the viral load in a person to determine if they are infected, Canary's breath test detects the metabolic response almost immediately after infection and deliver results in less than three minutes.

The current ASU Detect CV19 clinical trial taking place in Delhi, is the first and largest clinical trial using a real-time breath test for the detection of an infectious disease with cloud-based artificial intelligence for pattern recognition as the analytical tool. Trials in the US are being planned and due to begin before the end of 2020. If the trial is successful, Canary will seek to move quickly to apply for fast-track regulatory approval while continuing to trial the test in real-world settings such as airports, resorts and other high traffic areas.

Raj Reddy, CEO, Canary Health Technologies’ believes Canary's breath diagnostic platform will be the future of COVID-19 detection as well as many other diseases. "Our cutting-edge technology enables easy, rapid testing every few days in order to optimise safety in workplaces and other settings. Our unique strength will be our ability to detect COVID-19 in under three minutes before the onset of symptoms which will be critical in reducing transmission and ultimately putting an end to this pandemic," says Reddy.

Canary was able to develop this novel test for COVID-19 at top speed because the platform was already in advanced development to detect early stage lung cancer.

Supporting Canary with industrial design and manufacturing has been both personally and professionally rewarding for Mike Maczuzak, CEO & Founder, SmartShape. "Everyone has been affected by this global pandemic and to know our team will have contributed to solving it – that really fuels my passion for healthcare innovation," says Maczuzak.