RLM.L Regulatory News (RLM)

18 Jun 2007 12:00

PuriCore (LSE: PURI), the life sciences company focused on thedevelopment and commercialization of its novel, safe antimicrobialtechnology, will present results of several recent studies showingthat its Sterilox Solution effectively decontaminates hard surfacesinfected with norovirus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), Acinetobacter, and human influenza--all considered majoroutbreak pathogens--at the National Environmental Health AssociationConference (NEHA) this week. The Sterilox Solution, which mimics thenatural anti-microbial hypochlorous acid produced by the human body tofight pathogens, is used in a broad range of markets that depend uponcontrolling contamination, including food safety, medical devicedisinfection, wound management, and hospitality. £ One of the studies, conducted by the research team of Dr. MarkSobsey at the University of North Carolina (UNC), tested theeffectiveness of the Sterilox Solution in decontaminating norovirus,the most frequent cause of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide,in both laboratory tests and a real-world, room-decontaminationsetting. The study showed that the Sterilox Solution, whenadministered as a spray or as a fog, was rapidly effective atdisinfecting room surfaces contaminated with norovirus. Theresearchers utilized a norovirus strain obtained from an actualoutbreak (rather than a commonly tested surrogate), and the tests wereperformed successfully on both porous and non-porous surfaces. £ "These studies continue to demonstrate that our safe andenvironmentally friendly Sterilox Solution is highly effective againstthe spread of these pathogens," said Greg Bosch, CEO of PuriCore. "Ourtechnology has potential for use in a variety of settings fromhospitals, schools, and supermarkets to hotels, cruise ships, andother public facilities." £ Mark Sampson, PhD, PuriCore's Director of Microbiology, willpresent results of the UNC norovirus study on Thursday, June 21, atthe NEHA Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and at theAerobiology in Biodefense II Conference, sponsored by the NationalInstitutes of Health and the US Army Medical Research Institute, inJuly. In addition, results of this study will be published in the nextissue of The Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology(abstract available). £ Dr. Sampson's NEHA presentation will also report results fromrecent studies published in the Journal of Hospital Infectionperformed by Dr. Steve Barrett's research team at Charing CrossHospital in London that demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of theSterilox Solution fog in decontaminating MRSA and Acinetobacterclinical isolates dried onto surfaces. In addition, he will presentfindings from studies performed at independent labs that demonstratedthe virucidal activity of the Sterilox Solution when sprayed or foggedagainst the human influenza virus (A/Hong Kong 68 Strain, a commonsurrogate for the pandemic H5N1 avian influenza strain) dried ontosurfaces. £ About PuriCore £ PuriCore (London Stock Exchange: PURI) is a life sciences companyfocused on developing and commercializing proprietary products thatsafely, effectively, and naturally kill contagious pathogens.PuriCore's technology provides a solution to a broad range of marketsthat depend upon controlling contamination, including food safety,medical device disinfection, wound management, and hospitality. TheCompany's proprietary technology mimics the human body's production ofthe natural antimicrobial hypochlorous acid, which is highly effectivein killing bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores. Deployinghypochlorous acid solutions as soaks, sprays, mists, and in otherforms, PuriCore's technology is designed to limit the spread ofinfectious disease, including major public health threats of M.tuberculosis, MRSA, E.coli, norovirus, avian influenza, HIV, poliovirus, Helicobater pylori, and Legionella. PuriCore is headquarteredin Malvern, Pennsylvania, with offices in Stafford, UK. £ To receive additional information on PuriCore, please visit ourweb site at www.puricore.com, which does not form part of this pressrelease. Copyright Business Wire 2007