O2TODAY ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP ANTIMICROBIAL FACE MASKS WITH SINTX TECHNOLOGIES INC. TO HELP PREVENT SPREAD OF COVID-...
August 04 2020 - 9:00AM
O2TODAY (www.O2TODAY.com), an original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
company who develops and commercializes face masks for medical and
non-medical applications, today announced that it has entered into
a joint development agreement with SINTX Technologies, Inc.
(NASDAQ: SINT) (“SINTX”) (www.sintx.com). The goal of this
agreement is to develop a safe and effective consumer facemask with
broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral activity, based on
incorporating SINTX’s unique silicon nitride powder into the mask
filter and fabric. The successful development of such a product may
help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases by catching and
inactivating SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses and bacteria in the mask
itself before they can enter into the human body.
O2TODAY and SINTX Technologies intend to
capitalize on recent and promising data demonstrating the potential
of SINTX’s silicon nitride powder to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2
virus that is responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic. The
study showing rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by SINTX’s silicon
nitride is the latest in a series of scientific papers showing
similar activity of silicon nitride against a variety of bacteria
and viral strains. O2TODAY and SINTX plan to jointly fund
collaborative research and product development activities in Salt
Lake City, Utah, with the input of external laboratories as well.
Upon the joint development of an antimicrobial mask, the companies
will enter a commercialization agreement under which O2TODAY will
be the exclusive global distributor for face masks &
replacement filters containing SINTX’s silicon nitride.
“We were attracted to the scientific evidence
that SINTX has produced, attesting to the antimicrobial properties
of silicon nitride, the underlying mechanisms of antimicrobial
action, and the known safety of SINTX’s silicon nitride as an
FDA-cleared spinal implant,” said Bruce Lorange, CEO of O2TODAY.
“The antibacterial attributes of silicon nitride have been
reproduced by investigations done independently of SINTX, and that
adds to the credibility of SINTX’s findings. Our initial focus will
create products for the general public, with specific medical
products following soon after.”
“With the outbreak of COVID-19, cloth masks and
other face coverings have been widely adopted in response to a lack
of supply of face masks with filters and certifications attesting
to their effectiveness against viruses,” said Lorange. “By
increasing the manufacture of surgical and respirator style masks
with premium US-sourced advanced ceramic materials, we aim to make
effective masks more readily available within the US to help reduce
the spread of virus transmission, and other airborne threats. The
collaboration with SINTX is intended to develop and bring to market
a much-needed product in the fight against COVID-19.”
Since 2015, O2TODAY has been an innovator in the
design, manufacturing, and marketing of protective face wear that
reduces exposure to airborne threats, from respiratory droplets and
pathogens to air pollution. The company’s products are distributed
through airport and travel retailers, direct-to-consumer, and
enterprise, and medical channels. The outbreak of COVID-19 has
boosted the market demand for respiratory and surgical masks with
overall shipments estimated to reach over 10 billion units by 2025
(*Source: Arizton Industry Report: Face Mask Market – Global
Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025). To control the supply chain from
raw material to finished goods, and to meet the demand for
facemasks driven by COVID-19, O2TODAY has established a new
production facility in Salt Lake City, close to SINTX’s
manufacturing plant, to produce a range of products including
surgical and N95 health care respirator masks as well as
replacement filters for its line of reusable face masks. With
current equipment and machinery, O2TODAY anticipates being able to
produce up to 100,000 single-use masks or filters daily beginning
September 1, 2020, with the ability to rapidly scale to meet
growing demand.
“We are pleased to enter this joint development
agreement with O2TODAY, toward developing a differentiated mask
technology,” said Dr. Sonny Bal, CEO, and President of SINTX
Technologies. “The collaboration with O2TODAY is intended to
directly apply our material science expertise toward new product
development, and revenues - a very significant and exciting move
for SINTX. We look forward to sharing more information on the
testing, productization, and distribution of facemasks
incorporating SINTX’s silicon nitride in the coming months.”
About O2Today
O2TODAY (www.O2TODAY.com) is a privately-held
company with its headquarters located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Even
before the COVID-19 pandemic, O2TODAY designed and manufactured its
proprietary face mask technology that helps reduce exposure to
health threats resulting from respiratory droplets, pathogens,
allergens, dust, wildfire haze, and other forms of PM 2.5
particulate pollution. As a member of 1% For The Planet, O2TODAY
supports organizations driving initiatives to combat air pollution,
the leading environmental health threat on the planet, and
promoting public health through education of the medical risks
resulting from harmful air quality.
For more information on O2TODAY or its products, please
visit www.O2TODAY.com
About SINTX Technologies, Inc.
SINTX Technologies is an OEM ceramics company
that develops and commercializes silicon nitride for medical and
non-medical applications. The core strength of SINTX Technologies
is the manufacturing, research, and development of silicon nitride
ceramics for external partners. The Company presently manufactures
silicon nitride powders and components in its FDA registered and
ISO 13485:2016 certified manufacturing facility.
For more information on SINTX Technologies or its silicon
nitride material platform, please visit www.sintx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
SINTX Technologies: This press release contains
forward-looking statementswithin the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) that are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties
that may cause such differences include, among other things,
SINTX’s ability to complete its obligations under the agreement;
the collaboration with O2TODAY may not result in the development of
any products; that SINTX has not as yet developed any products with
antiviral properties which incorporate the use of silicon nitride;
products developed under the joint development agreement may not be
effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus; incorporation of silicon
nitride into personal protective equipment may not be safe or
effective; volatility in the price of SINTX’s common stock; the
uncertainties inherent in new product development, including the
cost and time required to commercialize such product(s); market
acceptance of our products once commercialized; SINTX’s ability to
raise additional funding and other competitive developments.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on
which they are made and reflect management’s current estimates,
projections, expectations and beliefs. There can be no assurance
that any of the anticipated results will occur on a timely basis or
at all due to certain risks and uncertainties, a discussion of
which can be found in SINTX’s Risk Factors disclosure in its Annual
Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) on March 26, 2020, and in SINTX’s other filings
with the SEC. SINTX disclaims any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements. SINTX undertakes no obligation to
publicly revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances that arise after the date of this
report.
Business Inquiries for SINTX:SINTX
Technologies801.839.3502IR@sintx.com
Media Inquiries for SINTX: Amanda Barry
Associate Director, Content and PR The Summit Group +1 509.554.8409
abarry@summitslc.com
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