G42 Healthcare, Abu Dhabi-based technology company Group 42 (G42) subsidiary, announced on Wednesday of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with NanoScent, an Israeli company which is specialized in scent reading technologies. This is aimed at exploring the collaborations and sharing in the arenas of development, validation, distribution and manufacturing of Scent Check. Scent Check is a breakthrough solution through which suspected cases of COVID-19 can be detected using exhaled nasal air sample.

The Scent Check device functions by detecting a combination of volatile organic compounds, or “VOC Signature”, using a sample of exhaled nasal air which is obtained from the host response to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The air sample is secured through an “Air trap” which is a small bag with fitted straw in which the individual has to blow nasal air. A “machine learning based model” is then used to analyze and diagnose the VOC Signature. Result is obtained in 30-60 seconds. The fact that Scent Check is non-invasive and provides results within no time gives it an upper hand to transform face of global diagnostics industry. The Covid-19 testing using this solution can be done in both large scale and small scale settings. Furthermore, no complex infrastructure is needed and it is highly cost-efficient. A virtual signing ceremony was attended by executives from both companies via video conference between the UAE and Israel. Discussions regarding ways to leverage expertise and technologies of both parties were discussed to help launching the solution which is currently the most effective way to break the spread of COVID-19.

Ashish Koshy, CEO of G42 Healthcare said, “At G42 Healthcare we are at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19 and committed to developing impactful innovative programs 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 organizations share their expertise and technologies for the benefit of society.”

Oren Gavriely, CEO of NanoScent commented, “Back in 2009 I drove all the way from New York to Washington DC for a conference organized by Jordan. Many companies were presenting the advancements in the Middle East and I realized that Israel is not part of the Middle East in many senses. I made it my goal to bring Israel to the Middle East and did so by many activities locally in Israel. Now 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 has recently been added as leader of the world’s first Phase III clinical trial for the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine. It is set to conduct a large number of tests using the new solution in the coming weeks to test and validate its efficacy and also increase its accuracy before it is launched in market for public use.

 WAM