Picomole Granted US Patent for its Breath Analysis Technology

Date Announced: 14 Nov 2012

Canadian start-up is developing ultra-sensitive spectrometer to detect signs of disease in exhaled breath.

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - Nov. 14, 2012) - Picomole Instruments Inc., the world leader in infrared technologies for breath analysis, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued U.S. Patent No. 8,288,727 entitled "Apparatus and method for rapid and accurate quantification of an unknown, complex mix".

Picomole is an award-winning Canadian company that has developed a ground-breaking technology to rapidly analyze complex gas mixtures like exhaled breath. Exhaled breath contains trace compounds linked to breast cancer, lung cancer, kidney disease and many other life-threatening medical conditions. Breath tests for such diseases would be fast, painless, non-invasive, and cost effective.

Picomole's technology represents a major advance in the field of breath analysis, which has the potential to impact health care on a global scale. Picomole's technology permits easy sample analysis of hundreds of volatile compounds found in breath at parts-per-billion levels and below within minutes. The key differentiator in Picomole's technology is its ability to move breath analysis from research labs to clinical settings through an easy-to-use, portable device.

"The issuance of our patent in the United States validates seven years of research and development by our dedicated team of scientists and engineers. Our infrared laser-based technology is unique and clearly differentiated from other gas analysis technologies" said Dr. John Cormier, Founder and CEO of Picomole Instruments Inc. "This strengthens our ability to broadly protect our proprietary technology as we develop clinical applications."

Picomole is currently forging collaborations with leading clinical research groups around the world, and expects to make additional announcements in the months ahead.

Picomole would like to acknowledge the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) for its longstanding support and technical advice.

Source: Picomole

Contact

E-mail: jennifer.gallant@picomole.com

Web Site: www.picomole.com