INNOCOP: New self-cleaning nanocopper based composite for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 and other HAIs

Clinica Arenal Lucense

For this project we combine an age-old understanding of copper’s antimicrobial properties, with cutting-edge antimicrobial technology containing copper nanoparticles. Due to its initial liquid state, this novel composite can be used to impregnate various surfaces providing a solid coating upon drying. This technology has been validated in various settings against different microbes, including various strains of both Gramm negative and Gramm positive bacteria, as well as different viruses. In particular, it provides a 99.9% elimination of the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 in a matter of hours under laboratory conditions, and also 99.9% of the bacterial burden (including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes) in just 1 hour.Our aim is addressing the fact that transmission of COVID-19 and other microorganisms frequently happen by touching contaminated areas. Dealing with increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, we still need to simultaneously respond to another looming potential pandemic. The rise in multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, since patients with Covid-19, and in general with any type of general flu virus, become very susceptible to contracting a secondary bacterial infection, which can only be treated with antibiotics. Thus, with the financial support received, we will evaluate the ability of this technology to eliminate these pathogens from highly touched surfaces on real settings by covering hospital ICUs as well as public buses running different routes, and public bus station surfaces. Opening the possibility of having cleaner surfaces.