PNOĒ prepares to launch a mask for self-service metabolic testing — TechCrunch
PNOĒ, a company based in Malden, Massachusetts, is preparing to launch a new version of its PNOĒ 2.0 breath-analysis mask on October 1. The device is intended to allow gym visitors to take an eight-minute test on their own without a trained operator, TechCrunch reports.
The mask measures how much oxygen a person consumes and how much carbon dioxide they exhale. Based on this data, the software generates nutrition and training recommendations. The current version of the device requires a trained operator, limiting the places where it can be used. According to PNOĒ co-founder and CEO Apostolos Atsalakis, the self-service mode could make the test available at fitness centers without specialized staff and potentially at pharmacies.
Metabolic metrics
PNOĒ says its test measures 23 biomarkers. They include VO₂ max, the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during physical exertion, resting metabolic rate, and metabolic flexibility — the ability to switch between using fats and carbohydrates as energy sources.
Metabolic testing based on the composition of exhaled gases has been used for more than a century. Traditionally, it required bulky and expensive equipment used mainly by sports laboratories and hospitals. The company says its portable device provides the same accuracy and is complemented by software for interpreting the results.
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Design and limitations
PNOĒ 2.0 is smaller than the previous model and has fewer components, which, according to Atsalakis, should make it more reliable. The electronic module can be detached from the silicone mask and straps, allowing several people to use the same equipment while keeping their own masks.
At the same time, the device does not have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. PNOĒ positions it as a wellness device rather than a medical tool and does not provide medical recommendations. The company also acknowledges that full-fledged disease diagnosis remains far off, including because of regulatory requirements.
PNOĒ works only with businesses that offer the test to their customers. The company lists Equinox, Four Seasons hotels, Red Bull, the NBA, Mount Sinai Health System, and the Restore Hyper Wellness chain among its clients. Businesses pay a subscription of $400 to more than $1,000 per month, covering equipment, software, training, and marketing materials.
