Abu Dhabi company signs deal for non-invasive COVID-19 test

A revolutionary new nasal air test could help to detect suspected COVID-19 cases in less than a minute.

G42 Healthcare, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based technology company Group 42, has signed a deal to explore the non-invasive method.

The agreement with NanoScent, an Israeli company specialised in scent reading technologies, will examine the development and manufacturing of Scent Check.

NanoScent releases a short training video for all the sites to gather the important data about the #COVID19 . With this process we are getting closer to defining what is the “#coronavirus scent”. Important step towards a holistic solution for a mass screening. pic.twitter.com/NEx0yZXqMR

— NanoScent (@nanoscent) April 23, 2020

The device can detect a combination of volatile organic compounds, or "VOC Signature", from exhaled nasal air derived from the host response to the coronavirus infection.

The air sample is captured from a subject in a small bag, called an "Air trap" that's fitted with a straw.

A machine learning-based model is then used to analyse, diagnose and label the VOC Signature, providing the test result in thirty to sixty seconds.

The non-invasiveness and the rapidity of results give Scent Check 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.

Executives from both companies took part in a signing ceremony via video-link between the UAE and Israel.