New IMO breath test in Europe: precise diagnosis of chronic constipation and flatulence

7.11.2025

Chronic constipation, bloating and recurring abdominal pain can be a considerable burden on everyday life. The cause often remains unclear. VOC-Advanced Breath Diagnostics GmbH specializes in the development and marketing of breath-based tests for gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases. The company, based in Erlangen and Forchheim, is now launching a breath test that provides targeted clarity in this area: the VOC-IMO breath test. IMO stands for Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth. This method can be used to determine whether methane-producing microorganisms, known as archaea, are causing the symptoms in the intestine.

"Our IMO breath test is unique in Europe: it enables simplified diagnostics - especially for people with chronic constipation and flatulence - so that targeted therapies can be initiated and symptoms alleviated," explains Prof. Dr. med. Dr. med. Wieland Voigt, CEO of VOC-Advanced Breath Diagnostics GmbH. "With our test kit box for breath collection at home and precise gas analysis in the laboratory, we are closing a diagnostic gap," explains the company founder.

IMO has only recently been mentioned alongside SIBO in international guidelines as an independent clinical picture. SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. It is a bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine. In contrast to the causes of SIBO, the archaea responsible for IMO react differently to therapies such as antibiotics, which is why targeted diagnostics are particularly important.

Compared to classic SIBO tests, the new VOC test method is much easier to carry out: only a basic sample and a further sample are taken 90 minutes after the start of a meal.The samples are then sent in and analyzed by VOC in the laboratory. The diagnostic accuracy corresponds to that of conventional tests.

The test can be carried out conveniently at home: patients receive a kit box with easy-to-understand instructions for taking the sample. Once the analysis has been carried out in the specialist laboratory, they receive a medically validated report of the findings for the doctor or therapist treating them. This gives them quick clarity about the cause of their symptoms - without any stress or waiting times in doctors' surgeries.

VOC-Advanced Breath Diagnostics GmbH is part of the Bayern Innovativ partner network and thus benefits from intensive networking between research, industry and the healthcare sector. The close exchange continuously promotes new impulses, practical innovations and valuable synergies. This enables companies to develop innovative solutions directly for the benefit of patients. At the same time, Bavaria is strengthened as a dynamic and future-oriented business location.

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