Northumbria University Spinout PulmoBioMed Achieves CE Mark for Revolutionary Deep Lung Breath Sampler

Northumbria spinout PulmoBioMed secures CE marking for PBM-Hale™, the first non-invasive device to reliably sample deep lung breath without contamination.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 11:07 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Northumbria University, Newcastle

Overcoming Decades of Diagnostic Limitations

The achievement of CE marking for the PBM-Hale™ platform represents a transformative shift in how clinicians access biological data from the human respiratory system. For over 40 years, the medical community has struggled to obtain reliable samples from the deep lung without relying on high-risk, invasive procedures like bronchoscopy. These traditional "gold-standard" methods are typically reserved for the most critically ill patients and cannot be easily replicated in community healthcare settings. PulmoBioMed’s technology sidesteps these barriers, offering a safe and repeatable alternative for large-scale clinical use.

Innovative Engineering and Saliva-Free Sampling

At the core of the PBM-Hale™ technology is its ability to isolate exhaled breath condensates (EBC) originating specifically from the deep lung. The device is engineered to eliminate common contaminants from the mouth, upper airways, and the surrounding environment, which have historically compromised the accuracy of breath-based diagnostics. By providing a "pure" sample, the platform ensures that clinicians are analyzing the underlying causes of lung disease rather than being misled by surface-level debris or environmental interference.

From University Research to Commercial Viability

The journey of PBM-Hale™ began in the laboratories of Northumbria University under the direction of Professor Sterghios Moschos. His foundational research into breath-based diagnostics was transitioned into a commercial enterprise through the support of Northern Accelerator, a regional partnership dedicated to university research commercialization. Proof-of-concept funding and rapid 3D-printing prototyping within the university’s engineering labs allowed the team to move quickly from a theoretical model to a functional, market-ready medical device.