KUALA LUMPUR / PERTH, Apr 20, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) -
Path-Away(R), a plant-based natural active ingredient used in the
alcohol-free NatShield(TM) hand sanitiser developed by
Malaysia-based and Australia-listed Holista CollTech (ASX: HCT),
has been tested by a leading U.K. bio-safety laboratory to be more
than 99.99% effective against a surrogate of the COVID-19 novel
coronavirus, Holista said today.
Holista announced that the positive results of the test by an
internationally recognised laboratory is a major step in its
efforts to help prevent the spread of the pandemic that so far has
infected more than 2.4 million people and killed over 625,000
people worldwide.
Path-Away(R) is developed by Global Infections Control Consultants
LLC ("GICC LLC"), headquartered in South Carolina, United States.
Holista is the global distributor of Path-Away(R) under the
trademark NatShield(TM) hand sanitiser containing 3% of
Path-Away(R).
While Path-Away(R) had already been proven previously to be
effective as a broad-spectrum sanitiser capable of killing a range
of viruses, bacteria and fungi without the use of alcohol or toxic
chemicals, both GICC LLC and Holista decided to subject it to tests
by a recognised bio-safety laboratory using protocols that are
accepted internationally.
Path-Away(R) works by attaching itself to the virus and weakening
its walls. It inhibits its ability to take up amino acids - their
basic building block. This forces the viruses to clump together, in
the process of killing themselves, almost instantly. The compound
is environmentally safe with very low toxicity and does not harm
humans and pets.
The latest U.K. test results confirm that Path-Away(R) in
Natshield(TM) has an efficacy of at 4.17Log (99.99% efficacy)
within a minute against the feline coronavirus (a surrogate of
COVID-19) when tested at a concentration of 3%. This means that
99.99% of the virus is killed within a minute of exposure to
Natshield(TM) - a huge attribute to an all-natural sanitizer that
is free of alcohol and chemicals.
The feline coronavirus is increasingly used in international
testing as a surrogate to COVID-19 as there are huge bio-security
and safety concerns for laboratories handling the actual virus. In
line with regulations of Australia's Therapeutic Goods
Administration, claims of efficacy against COVID-19 as a
disinfectant must be made with surrogate human or animal
coronaviruses including the feline coronavirus. The U.K. laboratory
tested Path-Away(R) against the feline coronavirus (Realm:
Riboviria; Order: Nidovirales; Family: Coronaviridae; Genus:
Betacoronavirus; Species: COVID-19).
The deadly novel coronavirus has been given the official name of
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 ("SARS-CoV-2") by
the International Committee for Taxonomy of Viruses, while the
World Health Organisation has named the disease caused by the virus
as Coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19").
COVID-19's ability to survive on surfaces for up to nine days while
remaining aerosolised, or airborne, is among the reasons attributed
for its rapid global spread in recent weeks. In view of rising
infections and fatalities due to the pandemic, GICC LLC and Holista
expedited the tests to facilitate specific claims against COVID-19
for Natshield(TM).
"Path-Away(R) was subjected to high international standards of
testing against COVID-19 and we are elated by the results. We hope
these results will advance the global efforts to combat the spread
of this coronavirus, future contagions and even the common flu by
something very natural and environmentally friendly," said Dr
Arthur V. Martin, President of GICC LLC.
"This is highly significant for NatShield(TM). The results have
satisfied the European standard that applies to areas and
situations where disinfection is medically indicated. This
scientific validation means that NatShield(TM) can be used to
sanitise the hands without the need for rinsing, can be applied to
the face and even inside the nose without irritation and is not
harmful even if swallowed. It may also be sprayed safely to
sanitise a person's immediate surrounding space, without any
negative effects," said Dr Rajen Manicka, CEO of Holista.
Holista and GICC LLC have issued instructions to commence further
tests on Path-Away(R) to assess its efficacy against COVID-19 via
the more rigorous direct inoculation method. This additional
testing is being conducted at biosafety laboratory approved by the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control ("CDC"). Results will be released
once the testing procedure is completed based on the current work
schedule.
Path-Away(R)'s ingredients are Generally Regarded As Safe ("GRAS")
certified, approved by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and
exempted by the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") - all under
the U.S. FIFRA 25(b) Code of Federal Regulations. It is listed in
the U.S. Pharmacopeia ("USP") and has undergone successful USP-51
testing. Path-Away(R) is also approved by the American Food and
Safety Authority and Environmental Protection Authority of New
Zealand.
About Holista CollTech Ltd
Holista CollTech Ltd ("Holista") is a natural wellness company, the
result of a merger between Holista Biotech Sdn Bhd and CollTech
Australia Ltd. The company has 3 main divisions:
- Dietary supplements and personal care
- Food Ingredients
- Ovine collagen
Holista has a global collaboration for Path-Away(R), a plant-based
solution that is proven to kill a broad spectrum of microbes. The
all-natural alcohol-free solution is an active ingredient in
Holista's proprietary hand sanitiser, NatShield(TM) that is sold
under its personal care range.
Holista researches, develops, manufactures and markets
"health-style" products to address the unmet and evolving needs of
natural medicine. Holista's suite of ingredients includes low-GI
baked products, reduced-sodium salts, low-fat fried foods and
low-calorie sugar without compromising taste, odour and mouthfeel.
Holista remains the only company to produce sheep (ovine) collagen
using patented extraction methods. For more information, please
refer to http://www.holistaco.com
Further Information About the U.K. Testing
The testing at the U.K. laboratory had commenced 12 March 2020
based on all accepted testing protocols needed to provide data for
Holista and GICC LLC to make label claims specific to COVID-19,
which was formerly referred to as "2019 novel coronavirus" or
"2019-nCoV".
The testing panel also included other members of the coronavirus
family such as SARS and the more common human influenza virus. The
testing was completed in April 2020.
The test in the U.K. laboratory used the standard method BS EN
14476. This describes a test method and the minimum requirements
for virucidal activity of a chemical disinfectant and antiseptic
products. This European Standard applies to products that are used
in the medical area in the fields of hygienic handrub, hygienic
handwash, instrument disinfection by immersion, surface
disinfection by wiping, spraying, flooding or other means and
textile disinfection.
This European standard applies to areas and situations where
disinfection is medically indicated
- in patient care (for example: In hospitals, in community medical
facilities)
- in dental institutions or in clinics of schools, of kindergartens
and of nursing homes
- in the workplace and in the home
- may also include services such as laundries and kitchens
supplying products directly for patients
Outline of Test Method (Obligatory Test Conditions)
A sample of the test product is added to a test suspension of
viruses in a solution of interfering substance. The mixture is
maintained at one of the temperatures and contact times specified
in the standard. At the end of this contact time, a portion is
taken. The virucidal action in this portion is immediately
suppressed by a validated method. The dilutions are transferred
into cell culture units either using monolayer or cell suspension.
Infectivity tests are done either by plaque test or quantal
tests.
After incubation, the titres of infectivity are calculated
according to Spearman and Kaber or by plaque counting. Reduction of
virus infectivity is calculated from differences of lg virus titres
before (virus control) and after treatment with the product. The
standard minimum spectrum of test organisms is Poliovirus,
Adenovirus and Murine Norovirus.
The test used the standard method BS EN 14476. This describes a
test method and the minimum requirements for virucidal activity of
a chemical disinfectant and antiseptic products. This European
Standard applies to products that are used in the medical area in
the fields of hygienic handrub, hygienic handwash, instrument
disinfection by immersion, surface disinfection by wiping,
spraying, flooding or other means and textile disinfection.
This European standard applies to areas and situations where
disinfection is medically indicated
- in patient care (for example: In hospitals, in community medical
facilities)
- in dental institutions or in clinics of schools, of kindergartens
and of nursing homes
- in the workplace and in the home
- may also include services such as laundries and kitchens
supplying products directly for patients
Acceptance Criteria
The product when tested as above shall demonstrate at least a 4
log10 reduction against the test virus. The test is deemed valid
where all control requirements are met.
Test Result
The test product received has achieved a >4-log reduction when
tested under the condition stipulated in this report, against
Feline coronavirus (surrogate of SARS-CoV2) when tested at a
concentration of neat(3%).
4 Log Reduction
Scientists use a logarithmic scale to see the growth of virus. Log
reduction stands for a 10-fold (or one decimal point) reduction in
virus, meaning the disinfectant reduces the number of live viruses
by 90 percent for every step of the division. A 4-log kill reduces
the colony or viruses by a 99.99% reduction.
Media Contact:
holista@wer1.net (+65 67374844)
karishma@wer1.net (+65 84792656)
Corporate Affairs & Business Opportunities
Dr Rajen Manicka: rajen.m@holistaco.com
Source: Holista CollTech Ltd
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