26 Feb 2021 07:00
Byotrol Plc
("Byotrol" or the "Company")
Landmark test protocol for testing long-lasting anti-viral efficacy
Byotrol plc (AIM:BYOT), the specialist infection prevention and control company, is pleased to announce that it has developed and externally validated a new test for determining whether cleaning and sanitising products have long-lasting efficacy against viruses in real-life use.
· This new test determines whether sanitising and cleaning products offer any long-lasting protection against COVID-19
· Byotrol is now standing behind product efficacy claims supporting infection control products that offer 24-hour protection against viruses and bacteria in real-life conditions, where surfaces are frequently touched
· The Company believes that this new test could help minimise the spread of the virus when used in conjunction with the cleaning and sanitising of shops, schools and offices when they reopen
Byotrol has developed the new test in response to an increasing number of products claiming long-lasting efficacy against coronavirus, based on laboratory conditions which ignore the constant abrasion of surfaces in real-life environments (and which would then make many products ineffective).
Byotrol developed the industry standard test for long-lasting efficacy in real-life against bacteria and yeast in 2014 with the help of independent industry experts. The test, named PAS 2424:2014, was approved by the British Standards Institute (BSI) and is the only British standard to prove the efficacy of a disinfectant product over 24 hours. The PAS 2424:2014 test is currently being reviewed by the CEN Committee for approval as a new European EN test standard.
This new test for viruses simulates 'real-life' conditions by creating frequent abrasions on surfaces after products have been applied, to replicate frequent touching of surfaces throughout the day. The surfaces are then tested to see whether the product is still present and killing viruses. The test is limited to 24 hours, to ensure that the result is attributed to the efficacy of the product, not the length of time the virus has been left to dry out on a surface, which could result in a false positive.
This new test was performed internally in Byotrol's virology lab with the results being reviewed and validated externally by Professor James Stewart, Chair of Molecular Virology at the University of Liverpool, who commented: "A validation of the effectiveness of surface disinfectants against viruses using this test is an important step forward for the industry and consumers alike."
Byotrol plans to gain approval from the BSI again, to make this new test the British standard for proving the long-lasting efficacy of disinfectants against viruses.
The application of this test could help businesses and consumers select products which are proven to be effective in a variety of public spaces where surfaces are frequently touched, genuinely promoting public health.
Trevor Francis, Chief Technology Officer of Byotrol plc commented:
"Long-term surface protection against viruses is the holy grail that businesses in the hygiene sector are chasing currently. We have responded to a clear market need for clarity on which surface disinfectants continue to deactivate viruses in real-life environments and which don't. It's a huge win for consumers and the government as we return to normality beyond the pandemic."
Enquiries:
Byotrol plc
Trevor Francis - Chief Technology Officer
David Traynor - Chief Executive Officer
Nic Hellyer - Chief Financial Officer 01925 742 000
finnCap
Geoff Nash/Kate Bannatyne - Corporate Finance 020 7220 0500
Richard Chambers - ECM
Flagstaff Strategic and Investor Communications
Tim Thompson/Andrea Seymour/Fergus Mellon +44 (0)207 129 1474
byotrol@flagstaffcomms.com
Notes to Editors:
Byotrol plc (BYOT.L), quoted on AIM, is a specialist infection prevention and control company, operating globally in the Healthcare, Industrial, Food and Consumer sectors, providing low toxicity products with a broad-based and targeted efficacy across all microbial classes; bacteria, viruses (including coronavirus), fungi, moulds, mycobacteria and algae.
Byotrol's products can be used stand-alone or as ingredients within existing products, where they can significantly improve their performance, especially in personal hygiene, domestic and industrial disinfection, odour control, food production and food management.
Byotrol develops and commercialises technologies that create easier, safer and cleaner lives for everyone.
For more information, please go to byotrol.co.uk