Viruferrin® ‘Germ Trap’ viral filtration
Virustatic has researched, developed and tested its patented Viruferrin® treated antiviral material creating a high-tech ‘germ trap’.
The Viruferrin® coated material is like a molecular sieve that has several modes of action. Viruses are attracted to Viruferrin®, like a chemical magnet. The Viruferrin® coating agglomerates with a virus particle and desiccates it, rendering it inert and bound to the material substrate.
Development partners, The University of Manchester, called it ‘germ trap’ technology.
The grandfather of our founder, Paul Hope, died during the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919, after four years at war. It became Paul Hope’s life’s work to improve pandemic preparedness and protect people around the globe against inevitable future viral pandemics.
In ESPRC funded research between 2011 and 2017, Virustatic and a team at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, led by Professor Sabine Flitsch, tested a range of glycoproteins to find the most effective against influenza viruses on substrates. The collaborative research showed that the protein coating could isolate viruses responsible for seasonal and pandemic influenza, which would enable products to be designed using readily available, ‘everyday’ materials treated with the glycoprotein lactoferrin.
The Viruferrin® coating mimics the surface of the cells in the human oesophagus and nasal passages. The method can capture over 99% of all flu viruses, including new strains of pandemic flu that come into contact with it.
Viruferrin® and SARS-CoV-2
In 2020-21, Virustatic worked with both the University of Wisconsin and VisMederi on material treated with Viruferrin® and tested for its inactivating properties against the pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza A viruses. Viruferrin®-treated fabrics experienced a >99% virus reduction after five minutes of contact. Furthermore, the reusability of the Viruferrin® treated fabric was demonstrated by stability for up to 10 washes. The level of anti-viral (SARS-CoV-2) activity remained constant from 5 to 10 washes and demonstrated a significant difference from the unwashed untreated material. Applications for this treated fabric are far-reaching, and as a biological face covering offers not only a unique 2-way protection but also is unlikely to cause onward touch transmission.
A research team, led by Professor Wendy Barclay, at Imperial College conducted a series of tests which passed aerosolised live, infectious H1N1 virus through 10 different materials. The materials selected for testing were all single layered, breathable, hydrophilic materials. The pressure drop across the materials did not increase due to aerosol capture on the material's surface.
The data showed that the materials selected, when treated with Viruferrin®, were capable of preventing influenza passage through the mask at up to 98% efficiency.
In the case of all 10 materials tested, the presence of the Viruferrin® coating improved the performance of the material in filtering the influenza virus.
Key features of Virustatic® viral filtration that offers improvements to PPE and RPE.
360 design with reduced perimeters
Our design innovation was to ensure a reduction in leakage points in order to avoid ingress and egress of virus-laden aerosols at the material perimeter. It also means that the air breathed in and out will go through the treated material.
Patented Viruferrin® coating and reusable material
Our selected substrate is coated with naturally occurring antiviral proteins. This coating captures viruses on the surface on the material. Through testing with our partners, VisMederi, we have been able to prove that the coating is still 99.8% effective after 10 washes. This reduces the risk of contact transmission due to touching contaminated material whilst donning and doffing.
Highly breathable single layer
At Imperial College London, we blew live infectious H1N1 virus through a range of single layer materials. We showed filtration of H1N1 >98% with just one layer. The materials were tested coated and uncoated. The ability to filter live infectious viruses was increased with all Viruferrin® coated materials.
We then selected the most breathable materials by using a Delta P test, choosing only materials with a very low differential pressure (Delta P) which indicates high breathability and therefore suitability for long wear.