MyEG partners with Breathonix to distribute Covid-19 breath test

MY E.G. Services Bhd (MyEG) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapore’s Breathonix Pte. Ltd. to be the distributor for a rapid breath test system for Covid-19.

The Singapore-based Breathonix Pte Ltd has developed a real-time breath test system for the qualitative detection of volatile organic compounds that are unique to Covid-19 in human breath specimens.

In a statement, MyEG said following the MoU’s signing, the company will apply for the requisite regulatory approvals and certifications for the breath test to be made commercially available in Malaysia.

Upon completing the relevant approval process, MyEG will be appointed as Breathonix’s exclusive distribution partner to undertake the commercial sale and marketing of its technology and associated systems in Malaysia.

“Compared with Real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), which is costly and time-consuming, the breath test system is a non-invasive, accurate and affordable solution that can generate results within a minute, making it particularly suitable for mass screening in high-traffic locations,” it added.

According to the statement, the test can be administered by any trained personnel who do not need be specifically medically-trained professionals. Users are only required to simply exhale normally into a disposable one-way valve mouthpiece connected to a breath sampler.

The game-changing breathalyzer test has underdone clinical trials at three locations, in particular Singapore and Dubai, conducted from June 2020 to April 2021 and has received provisional authorization from Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority.

The statement also said Breathonix is working with Singapore’s Ministry of Health for  deployment trial at Tuas Checkpoint, where incoming travellers will be screened alongside the current compulsory antigen rapid test.

The impending launch of the breath test system is the latest addition to a growing range of Covid-19 related innovations that MYEG has introduced since the outbreak of the pandemic, which includes deep-throat saliva test kits, the MySafeTravel screening and quarantine arrangement system for travellers and the MySafeQ quarantine hotel accommodation programme for low-risk domestic Covid-19 patients.