PROJECT TEAM
Inger Lise Gade – Consultant and Clinical Specialist, Aalborg University Hospital
Sophie Rex Christensen – PhD Student
THE NEED
Clinicians often need to make treatment decisions based on incomplete diagnostic information. Traditional diagnostic tests frequently require invasive procedures such as blood sampling and laboratory analysis, which can delay decision-making and limit frequent monitoring. There is a growing need for non-invasive diagnostic tools that can provide faster insights and improve clinical decision-making.
THE SOLUTION
The project is developing a device that can collect and analyse biomarkers from exhaled breath. Similar to a blood test but without needles, the technology enables non-invasive sampling that can be performed quickly and potentially closer to the patient. By capturing clinically relevant biomarkers from breath, the device may enable faster diagnostics and more frequent monitoring.
Exhaled Breath Collector
Call 8 – 2025
GRANT: 500,000 DKK
Clinical Area
Diagnostics, Respiratory Medicine
Technology
Biomarkers, Medical Device
PROJECT SUMMARY
For many clinical conditions, treatment decisions must be made with limited diagnostic information. Consultant and clinical specialist Inger Lise Gade from Aalborg University Hospital is developing a device capable of collecting biomarkers from exhaled breath — offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional blood sampling. Together with PhD student Sophie Rex Christensen, the team is exploring how breath-based diagnostics can enable faster and more accessible disease monitoring.
The technology has the potential to move diagnostics closer to the patient, providing clinicians with real-time insights without invasive procedures. With an already substantial dataset and several promising clinical applications emerging, the project is now focusing on identifying the areas where the clinical and commercial potential is strongest and translating these insights into scalable solutions.
CLINICAL IMPACT
Breath-based diagnostics could enable faster and more accessible disease monitoring while reducing the need for invasive testing. This may support earlier detection of disease changes, more informed treatment decisions, and improved patient experience. In the long term, the technology could help move diagnostics closer to the point of care.