Do You Know? Metabolic testing has traditionally relied on bulky equipment and trained operators. PNOĒ says its new mask is designed to let people complete the test themselves in about eight minutes.
What PNOĒ is launching
PNOĒ, a company based in Malden, Massachusetts, with operations in Athens, Greece, is preparing to launch the PNOĒ 2.0 on October 1. The company says the new device covers the nose and mouth, measures how much oxygen a person consumes and how much carbon dioxide they exhale, and turns the results into advice about eating and training.
The major change from PNOĒ’s current device is self-administration. According to co-founder and CEO Apostolos Atsalakis, a user can put on the mask, press a button, sit down and breathe for eight minutes. The existing device requires a trained operator.
Why the change matters
Removing the need for a dedicated operator could make the test easier to deploy in fitness centers without specialized staff. Atsalakis also said the company sees possible use in pharmacies, although PNOĒ currently sells to businesses rather than directly to consumers.
Metabolic testing analyzes gases in a person’s breath to assess how the body produces energy. It has long been used to measure VO₂ max, a measure of the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during exercise. Traditional testing has generally required expensive equipment found in sports laboratories and hospitals.
What the device measures
PNOĒ says its test captures 23 biomarkers. In addition to VO₂ max, the company highlights resting metabolic rate—the calories the body burns at rest—and metabolic flexibility, or how well the body switches between burning fat and carbohydrates.
Those measurements are intended to help answer questions such as how many calories a person may need and how they should train. However, the company does not position the device as a medical diagnostic tool.
Design and shared use
The PNOĒ 2.0 is described as smaller and more compact than its predecessor, with fewer parts. Atsalakis said the simpler design is intended to improve reliability.
The electronics detach from the silicone mask and straps. That allows multiple people to share the hardware while each person uses their own mask.
Wellness device, not a medical device
PNOĒ says the device is not cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and does not provide medical recommendations. The company describes it as a wellness device, comparing its role to a body-composition device or scale.
Atsalakis said PNOĒ could eventually explore whether breath data can help flag health issues. He also acknowledged that full diagnoses are still years away and that regulatory hurdles could extend that timeline.
Business model and next steps
PNOĒ sells its system to businesses, which then offer testing to their customers. The company’s cited clients include Equinox, Four Seasons hotels, Red Bull, the NBA, Mount Sinai Health System and Restore Hyper Wellness.
Business subscriptions range from $400 per month to more than $1,000, covering hardware, software, training and marketing materials. PNOĒ also links test results to services offered by a business, allowing gyms or spas to recommend offerings based on a customer’s results.
The company says it employs 110 people, recently became profitable and is growing by more than 100% annually. Atsalakis said PNOĒ plans to raise a Series B within the next six to 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
When is PNOĒ 2.0 expected to launch?
PNOĒ is preparing to launch the device on October 1, according to the source report.
How long does the test take?
The self-administered test is described as an eight-minute breathing session.
Can consumers buy the device directly?
No. PNOĒ sells to businesses, which offer the testing to their customers.
Is the device intended to diagnose illness?
No. PNOĒ says the device is not FDA-cleared and does not provide medical recommendations.
Bottom Line
PNOĒ 2.0 is designed to move breath-based metabolic testing from operator-led settings toward self-service use in gyms and other businesses. Its launch, business expansion and future health applications remain subject to the company’s stated plans and claims.
Source: TechCrunch.
Source
This report is based on information published by TechCrunch.
