Deep Breath Intelligence collaborate with Bayer over sleep apnoea

DBI, the expert in Molecular Breath Analysis applying artificial intelligence (AI) for state-of-the-art data interpretation announced today a collaboration with Bayer AG (Leverkusen, Germany) in the SPRAY-SMART study of a new nasal drug for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndroms (OSAS).

Prof. Dr. Malcolm Kohler, Director of the Department of Pneumology at the University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland announced “Bayer AG and the University Hospital of Zurich have agreed on performing a clinical study on OSAS. For the purpose of obtaining additional real-time results on participant’s breath samples DBI is getting involved with its unique solution applying AI algorithms to discover further molecular insights on OSAS.”

DBI combines Secondary Electrospray Ionization (SESI) and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry with advanced bioinformatics tools to provide unprecedented breath metabolic profiling. This allows to perform real time breath analysis and study molecules that are untraceable by traditional methods. It opens a new path to advancing precision medicine and improving future clinical outcomes. The advantages of DBI’s combined technologies are highest sensitivity, highest selectivity, and real time results. OSAS poses a significant burden to healthcare systems worldwide affecting the health of about 20% of the global population. Repetitive blocking of the upper airways e.g. due to a lack of proper control of the pharyngeal muscle interferes with natural sleep patterns. Quality of life is reduced in the patients and oftentimes they suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness. In addition, OSAS is also responsible for increased blood pressure and is associated with cardiovascular morbidity. The most widely used therapy is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) which suffers from poor acceptance due to the need to wear a mask for the whole night. Patients show low compliance and either do not use the device at all or just for a few hours during sleep which compromises therapy success. Therefore, new pharmacological ways of therapeutic intervention are highly desirable.

The goal of the collaboration between DBI and BAYER is to broaden insight into the dynamics of metabolites whose levels in the exhaled breath of patients with OSAS are changed by the disease and in response to therapeutic intervention. Applying DBI’s technology and algorithm could  provide early signs of treatment efficacy and potentially help the identification of sub-populations of OSAS patients responsive to specific treatments, (“personalized medicine approach”).

Bayer’s first clinical study applying DBI’s technology is the placebo controlled SPRAY-SMART study . The apnea-hypopnea-index (AHI) will be measured to determine the severity of OSA after treatment with a new nasal spray for OSA treatment. The drug aims at preventing the collapse of the upper airways as one pathological mechanism in OSA.

About Deep Breath Intelligence AG

DBI was founded as a spin-off of USZ/UKBB and ETH in 2018 with the vision to uncover the full potential of Molecular Breath Analysis to advance precision medicine and make it available for general health care. The core competences are in patterned analytical analysis of data with highest accuracy and resolution and clinical studies expertise.  Deep Breath Intelligence AG is collaborating closely with the University of Zurich, University Hospital of Zurich, the Children University Hospital of Basel and the JINAN University, Guangzhou, China.