COVID -19 product development progressing
Stage 2 Study Update:
Last week our laboratory partners received human coronavirus samples upon which to further evaluate the effectiveness of our formulations as part of Stage 2 study. This laboratory has now been upgraded to a Physical Containment Level 3 (PC3) laboratory, and has started culturing the coronavirus.
Preliminary laboratory results using an in vitro surrogate model for coronavirus deactivation indicate that the applied agent was as effective as 80% ethanol in deactivating the surrogate virus model, with a higher level of significance (p<0.001) than other chemicals tested. These results were achieved within 60 seconds and had no adverse reaction on the skin. Stage 2 study of this agent on genuine COVID-19 virus samples will commence in coming weeks. This research will underpin the development of new formulations for surface decontaminants specific to COVID-19, that target a specific structural weakness in the virus. A formal application to TGA for ARTG entry, including request for use of specific claims against COVID-19 will be made upon completion and formal reporting of Stage 2 study results for each proposed product.
Plus Daily’s Surface decontaminants
Emerging research is driving Plus Daily’s product development in the area of hand hygiene systems and surface sanitisers. There is an urgent global need to develop clinically effective sanitisation products targeted at deactivating COVID-19, to reduce transmission of the virus.
Studies examining the spread of COVID-19 in the air and on surfaces have revealed wide virus distribution on surfaces frequently contacted by medical staff and/ or patients including: floors, computer mice, rubbish bins, bed rails, doorknobs, as well as in the air, on sleeve cuffs and gloves of medical personnel. From these findings, it was recommended that medical staff perform hand hygiene practices immediately after patient contact .
In light of predictions from infectious disease specialists that COVID-19 will persist for years to come, repetitively peaking during winter flu seasons around the world, Plus Daily is working to expedite research and development of essential products to reduce infection transmission.
The alarming COVID-19 death and infection rates reported globally, suggest that recommended hygiene practices currently in place are either not effective, or not being implemented appropriately.
High concentrations of alcohol in decontaminant products are not suitable for use on all surfaces (e.g., vinyl floors and plastic chairs), as they can be highly flammable and corrosive to some materials. For example, repeated use of alcohol for disinfectant purposes can cause discolouration, swelling, hardening and cracking of rubber and some plastics. Recent research findings have reported that surface contamination is extensive within COVID-19 medical wards, including medical staff shoes that can carry COVID-19 to other areas. Wide-spread virus distribution was also reported on hospital computer mice, rubbish bins, bed rails, doorknobs, and in the air in areas where infected patients were being treated. These findings indicate that complete, thorough, and effective surface decontamination is critical to reduce COVID-19 transmission between areas.
Alcohol-Based Sanitisers
Although alcohol-based hand hygiene systems have been touted as the “cure-all” for viruses, a world-wide shortage of ethanol in the current pandemic has catalysed the investigation of other potential agents that are effective and perhaps more efficient than alcohol-based formulations in mitigating coronavirus. Furthermore, the frequent use/ over-use of ethanol-based hand sanitisers have been reported to cause adverse skin reactions. These ethanol-based formulations disturb the nature of the skin barrier with adverse outcomes, which can include reddening, peeling, cracking, swelling, itching and/or blistering.
Plus Daily’s
80% Ethanol hand sanitiser
In the wake of COVID-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have provided recommendations for alcohol-based hand sanitiser formulations. In accordance with these recommendations, Plus Daily have commenced production of a high concentration alcohol-based hand sanitiser in 500mL pump packs, and 3mL single-use vials, which have been approved for use in medical and health services.
Plus Daily’s 500mL hand sanitiser is currently in production, with the capacity to produce 24,000 bottles per day. The additional availability of disposable single-use hand hygiene products will serve to mitigate cross-infection, especially via the use of communal pump-packs (e.g., in medical centres and shopping centres) and multi-use personal hand sanitisers
Plus Daily’s single vial hand sanitiser 3mL for personal use, is currently in production, with the capacity to produce 72,000 vials per day. Plus Daily seeks to increase its production capacity by allocating more resources in the near future.
- Personal/ single-use vial
- Gentle on all skin types
- Quick-drying and non-sticky formula
- Contains Ethanol 80% v/v
- WHO, FDA and TGA recommended formulation
- Hand rub suitable for use in medical and health services
- Ideal for use in the workplace, home, and on-the-go