- Silicon nitride-embedded fabrics proved effective against inactivating SARS-CoV-2 virus
- The fabrics may be suitable for many applications, including masks, surgical gowns, and air filters
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Salt Lake City, UT, March 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SINTX Technologies (www.sintx.com) (“SINTX”; “the Company”) a company that develops and commercializes silicon nitride for multiple applications, today announced test results showing that fabrics containing SINTX’s silicon nitride continue to demonstrate inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus upon contact. Earlier tests had shown that sintered silicon nitride powders reduced viral loads by as much as 99.9%, starting at one minute after exposure to silicon nitride.
“Last year we announced that our R&D team bonded silicon nitride particles consistently and evenly into the fibers of a nonwoven fabric layer,” said Dr. Sonny Bal, CEO and President of SINTX. “We now have results on tests done at the University of Rochester, New York, which show that these fabrics containing silicon nitride had comparable efficacy against inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus upon contact as silicon nitride alone.”
The Company expects the antiviral fabrics to be used in many applications, such as a “catch-and-kill” face mask, surgical gowns and drapes, automotive and HVAC filters, wound dressings, clothing, and more. SINTX believes that products made of its fabrics will inactivate trapped pathogens and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
“Our new fabric-based R&D may improve the effectiveness of PPE,” said Bryan McEntire, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at SINTX. “Currently available face masks, for example, that make antiviral claims rely on the addition of metal ions, such as silver, copper, and zinc, as well as other chemicals to the mask fabrics. Unlike these additives, which are either allergenic or toxic to human tissue, extensive testing has shown that silicon nitride powder is non-allergenic, and non-toxic to mammalian cells. Additional development and testing will continue with the goal of meeting ISO and ASTM standards in the forthcoming months.”
SINTX continues to develop manufacturing processes to scale up the production of silicon nitride-embedded fabrics for applications across a variety of different markets. SINTX believes the development of silicon nitride embedded fabrics can help fulfill the global need for masks and other antiviral applications around the world.
About SINTX Technologies, Inc.
SINTX Technologies is an OEM ceramics company that develops and commercializes silicon nitride for medical and non-medical applications. The core strength of SINTX Technologies is the manufacturing, research, and development of silicon nitride ceramics for external partners. The company presently manufactures silicon nitride powders and components in its FDA registered, ISO 9001:2015 certified, ISO 13485:2016 certified, and AS9100D certified manufacturing facility.
For more information on SINTX Technologies or its silicon nitride material platform, please visit www.sintx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
SINTX Technologies: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to silicon nitride-containing masks not showing the same results as those obtained with silicon nitride during laboratory testing. End-user products containing silicon nitride may or may not show the same properties as the material itself. New product development entails inherent uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to the cost- and time-prohibitive barriers toward product commercialization, lack of market acceptance of such products, and regulatory barriers that may prove insurmountable. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and reflect management’s best estimates, projections, expectations, and beliefs, with no assurances or guarantees of future results. Risks and uncertainties are disclosed in SINTX’s Risk Factors disclosure in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 26, 2020, and in SINTX’s other filings with the SEC. SINTX disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, and undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this report.
Business Inquiries for SINTX:
SINTX Technologies
801.839.3502
IR@sintx.com
Media Inquiries for SINTX:
Amanda Barry
Associate Director, Content and PR
The Summit Group
abarry@summitslc.com