Inov8 Interview
Please summarise for us, who you are and what your role is in the company?
My name is Adrian Gee Turner and I am the CMO at Inov8 Science. I was recently recruited by Inov8 through yourselves, to evaluate Market potential, identify channel sales opportunities and influence the future development of the product.
Tell us a little bit about the company Inov8?
Inov8 is a small dynamic R&D company recently acquired by a VC to take the Air Disinfection product it has developed to market. Inov8 Science Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the AIM listed company, Mid-States PLC. Inov8 Science operates from their premises in Buckingham, UK, that also houses a sophisticated manufacturing capability supporting the enterprise.
What is your product called?
The Air Disinfection or AD.
It sounds very interesting. Can you describe your product and what it does?
The product is quite simply an Air Disinfection device that cleans the air of harmful bacteria and airborne germs such as C.diff, MRSA and Swine Flu viruses. It also eradicates smells in a very short period of time.
You make that sound very matter of fact, but this is actually a massive scientific breakthrough, with life changing potential!
So tell us about the technology and give us the techy rundown. What does it do etc?
The Air Disinfection device uses self-generating hydroxyl radicals to clear the air of 99.999 % of pathogens in a given area such as a eight desk office or bed ward. Hydroxyl radicals occur naturally in the open air, but cannot normally penetrate enclosed spaces. For decades ‘fresh air’ from open windows made patients feel better and was perceived as an ‘old wives tale’, but researchers at Porton Down in the 1960’s discovered the natural properties of the open air. Years later, this unique disinfection property of the outside air was attributed to the presence of hydroxyl radicals which now forms the basis of the technology behind the new Air Disinfection devices. The rate of destruction of pathogens is four log (99.99%) in twenty minutes and five log reduction in sixty minutes (99.999%).
And why is this product so unique?
There is no other product that can perform effective airborne cleansing in this way. Many other systems collect the pathogens in a filter which become more and more full of pathogen as they have the room air pulled through them trapping pathogens. This however means as they become full of pathogen some pathogen start to shed out the back side of the filter. People want the pathogens destroyed not collected as they do not want to have to handle or clean a pathogen saturated device or filter.
What is the WOW factor?
Potentially life changing global product, that could become a common place item in almost every public and private space, such as hospitals, schools, public transport and even in the home and work place. By the very way the device works as it mimics nature it means that even as other pathogens develop this device destroys them. The higher the pathogen load the faster the overall pathogen reduction as the device converts pathogens into pathogen killing elements until reaching a negligible level.
Who or what will this most effect? What will the impact of this new technology be to society and to industry?
This product will contribute to the eradication of C.Diff, MRSA and fatally transmitted bacteria in hospitals and dramatically reduce the number of sick days across industry, by preventing common and potentially serious ailments being transmitted between work colleagues within the work place. Apart from saving lives, this product will improve quality of life and potentially save Industry £billions in the reduction of lost work days through ailments transmitted within the work place.
If that isn’t already impressive enough, what do you think the future potential be?
Globally recognised product. Commonly found in any enclosed areas where people come together and may be at risk of transmitting bacteria and viruses.
What stage in its development have you reached so far?
We recently received high approval ratings from Sunderland City Hospital and 100% positive results from all field trials completed to date. Now available on line at www.openairfactor.com.
I am sure that people will want to know when can we expect to see this operational in every day life? Where will we see it first?
The product is actually, already operating across and within a number of industry sectors. Obviously the health care service are interested in this device and we hope to complete an evaluation by the Royal Free in support of the effectiveness of air disinfection as a route to reduce pathogens in the near future. The product is already with a major channel sales partner operating in the health and hygiene sectors and other routes into Education, Care homes, Business, transport etc are being explored with field trials underway.
When can we buy it? How will it be packaged?
The product is already available and the AD devise can either be purchased or taken on contract rental. The product runs on mains electricity, so you just take it home and plug it in.
How can people find out more about this technology and subject? (Can you provide any articles/papers that we can link to, your weblink etc and links to articles about the technology and science)
Please visit our website or post any questions on this discussion forum and we will do our best to answer them. www.inov8.com (Please link to the Independent article.)
Thank you Adrian, this has helped me to understand the product and what it does a lot better. I am sure that people will find it reassuring that this technology is already developed and is now being made available for public and commercial use. There is more information on your website and I also recommend that people watch your 5 minute video that was put together with your Chief Scientific Officer, which is well worth a look.