Oxafence Supporting Research and Validation

Drs. Thomas Lendvay, James Chen, and Christopher Mores, and esteemed colleagues in a consortium of labs assembled through the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Task Force, co-authored a 2020 WHO-led DeMaND study on face mask decontamination methods. The “Development of Methods for Mask and N95 Decontamination” (DeMaND) study demonstrated how Methylene Blue (MB), a protective dye, could inactivate SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 disease) on masks via Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation (aPDI). 

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation (aPDI) uses protective dyes, like Methylene Blue, and visible light to generate singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen is around us all the time, exists in our cells, and is naturally present in many commonly consumed products. Singlet oxygen is also well-known for its antimicrobial powers and ability to inactivate bacteria and viruses.

The DeMaND study primarily focused on the use of MB as a post-treatment decontamination method in bright lighting conditions (for use cases in low-resourced areas), but researchers also noted the method’s efficacy as a pre-treatment and in more common lighting environments. The DeMaND study authors concluded, “Pretreatment of masks with MB could provide a novel means of continual decontamination reducing exposure to SARS-CoV-2 … [and] of continual inactivation of viral particles to decontaminate a mask while donned [i.e., worn].”

Drs. Lendvay, Chen, and Mores, along with their colleagues at Singletto, Inc. and researchers around the world, have since grown the body of research and support for this PDI technology, specifically through the development of its Oxafence technology.

Oxafence technology deploys protective dyes, including special-grade Methylene Blue, studied in DeMaND, to induce an antimicrobial effect. As DeMaND researchers noted, “Methylene Blue [is] FDA-approved to treat methemoglobinemia and is used to sterilize human plasma transfusions in Europe. MB inactivates SARS-CoV-2 and many other viruses.”

Oxafence inactivates SARS-CoV-2 and FLU viruses via the Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation (aPDI) demonstrated in the DeMaND studies. aPDI becomes immediately active whenever visible light is present. Certain protective dyes (like Methylene Blue) provide quicker and stronger inactivation, however, when formulated for available lighting conditions. Oxafence Mask Spray and the Oxafence treatment on the ProGear Antiviral* Surgical Mask begins working in visible light but is specifically optimised for normal, indoor lighting environments where mask use/wear is common (~500-700 lux).

In U.S.- and Canadian-based Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) University-affiliated laboratories and an independent ISO-accredited laboratory, Singletto, Inc. has demonstrated Oxafence's quick-acting and long-lasting efficacy against COVID and FLU in these regular lighting conditions.

The power of Oxafence on the ProGear Antiviral Surgical Masks 1) begins working immediately, 2) consistently inactivates 99% of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/H1N1 by five minutes, 3) inactivates 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/H1N1 by fifteen minutes, and 4) continues to provide ongoing Active Protection, even at 24 hours.^

Oxafence Mask Spray 1) begins working immediately, 2) consistently inactivates 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 in thirty minutes, 3) consistently inactivates 95% of Influenza A/H1N1 in thirty minutes and 99.99% in two hours, and 4) provides ongoing active protection even 24 hours^ after initial application of Oxafence Mask Spray.

Additional testing in varying lighting conditions, with varying protective dyes (ex. Riboflavin/Vitamin B2), and with multiple formulations for future products is underway. Singletto, Inc. partners with healthcare and consumer brands and manufacturers to provide Oxafence Active Protection solutions for existing and future products. Singletto, Inc. has partnered with Prestige Ameritech, the largest U.S. domestic surgical mask manufacturer, to launch ProGear Antiviral Surgical Masks with Oxafence.

The original DeMaND Study can be accessed here: doi:10.1017/ice.2021.230. Following the DeMaND Study, the World Health Organization (WHO) added Methylene Blue and Light as a supported Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) decontamination method in the “Rational use of personal protective equipment for COVID-19 and considerations during severe shortages” interim guidelines. Peer-reviewed DeMaND2 follow-on studies are now published in The American Journal of Infection Control and demonstrate the efficacy of aPDI against a wide range of pathogens.

*Oxafence in vitro testing conducted in ~500 lux. Any clinical event has not been evaluated. ^Please continue to follow relevant Infection Prevention and Control masking guidelines and recommendations

Information may not be applicable to countries outside New Zealand, nor may products marketed in New Zealand necessarily be available in other countries. This does not constitute promotion of products outside New Zealand.