BREATH: Biomarkers for Respiratory diseases detected in Exhaled Air through a new Technological instrument for research and Healthcare markets.

Project Information

BREATH

Grant agreement ID: 740460

DOI

10.3030/740460

Project closed

EC signature date 15 November 2016

Start date 1 November 2016

End date 30 April 2017

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Biotechnology

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

PEXA AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BREATH (BREATH: Biomarkers for Respiratory diseases detected in Exhaled Air through a new Technological instrument for research and Healthcare markets.)

Reporting period: 2016-11-01 to 2017-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

This project aims to accelerate the introduction of the BREATH technology in the lung research market with the aim to move into hospitals as a standard piece of diagnostic equipment. BREATH is the first non-invasive device which samples the small airways to collect biomarkers which are present in the early stages of many significant respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and asthma.
The symptoms of these tend not to appear until the disease has already reached an advanced stage and there is no way of detecting it at an early stage. These often begin with pathological changes within the small airways, referred to as the “silent zone”, due to the difficulty of accessing it. Research studies on the pathological changes and biomarkers (such as cells and proteins) of lung diseases have been slowed. However, these are essential to improve diagnoses and treatments. The lung research field needs a device capable of probing these zones while reliably and efficiently collecting samples from a large range of people which can be analysed.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We have verified the technical, commercial and financial feasibility of the BREATH project. We have performed an in-depth market analysis which has shown us that we are the only technology capable of taking samples of the small airway, and are poised to exploit a huge gap in the lung research market. We have undertaken a detailed risk analysis and provided mitigation measures to ensure the project will continue on schedule. We have also prepared a detailed work plan with the specific tasks needed for the completion of the phase 2 project. Finally, we have assessed the financial feasibility of the BREATH project with the outcomes, indicating a positive outlook.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Our primary target clients are research institutions and pharmaceutical companies, who are undertaking lung research to assist in the diagnosis or treatment of lung diseases, which comprises over 10,000 potential clients. After the BREATH project, roll-out is foreseen in Europe and North America by 2023 with annual sales revenues being €48.4M by 2024.
It will reduce the cost (6 times) and time (10 times) associated with lung research while providing the necessary functionality to undertake research which is currently not possible with conventional techniques. By allowing the discovery and validation of key biomarker relating to key lung diseases, BREATH will allow the quicker diagnosis and better treatment of these diseases, a significant benefit for our customers and the public.

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