By Josh White
Date: Thursday 13 Aug 2020
LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Graphene producer Directa Plus announced on Thursday that its 'G+' graphene-enhanced facemask, branded 'Co-mask', has been confirmed as having "strong anti-viral properties" by a team at the department of neurosciences of the Catholic University of Rome, in conjunction with the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
The AIM-traded firm said that the team tested G+-enhanced fabrics with SARS-CoV-2, the strain of coronavirus that causes Covid-19.
It said the preliminary results showed that the G+ graphene could improve textile properties, and "significantly reduce" the measured incidence of SARS-CoV-2 when the virus is deposited or filtered through functionalised cotton, or a non-woven polyurethane fabric.
It said a scientific paper containing the full details of the trial and the results was underway, and would be published shortly.
"These preliminary results confirm that the application of our technology can significantly enhance facemask efficacy and can help to reduce the spreading of SARS-CoV-2," said founder and chief executive officer Giulio Cesareo.
"Our G+ graphene solutions are non-toxic and environmentally sustainable, overcoming the health and other problems associated with current ion-metal or halogen treatments.
"The company is now in early stage discussions with possible commercial partners for this application."
At 1225 BST, shares in Directa Plus were up 7.69% at 84p.