Results of new research conducted by the University of Wisconsin's Department of Pathobiological Sciences shows that The V-Shield face mask, made by Virustatic Shield Ltd., provides protection against Influenza and SARS-CoV-2, announced the university.
Lab results confirm:
· Viruferrin-treated fabrics exposed to Influenza experienced a >99% virus reduction after five minutes of contact compared to untreated fabric controls; and
· Viruferrin-treated fabrics exposed to SARS-CoV-2 showed a >99% virus reduction after five minutes of contact compared to the untreated fabric controls.
· 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 up to 10 washes
These findings are part of an exhaustive study led by Dr. Jorge Osorio, a virologist in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, where he leads research programs on emerging viral diseases such as Yellow Fever, African Swine Fever, Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, Influenza, Monkeypox and molecular vaccines. He previously co-founded Inviragen, a biotechnology company that created a Dengue vaccine that recently successfully completed phase 3 clinical trials.
Dr. Osorio and his team conducted their research in a Biosecurity Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory and adhered to widely recognized international standards established by ISO 18184:2019, which specifies testing methods for the determination of the antiviral activity of textile products against specified viruses.
Dr. Osorio commented, “‘We are very excited by the findings of our study and to be working with a UK Biotech firm with this technology. For the V-Shield to disable up to 99% of the pandemic virus within five minutes is an amazing step in face mask technology for ongoing health emergency and for future pandemics. This is a meaningful development as we work to mitigate human-to-human transmission of viruses.”
The V-Shield is the product of a 10-year collaboration among leading scientists and academics in the UK and US including Imperial College London and now University of Wisconsin, Department of Pathobiological Sciences. Virustatic Shield Ltd. and University of Wisconsin are preparing this research for publication and peer review by the scientific community as they continue testing on further Viruferrin technology.
