Yissum Presents a New Antiviral Hand Sanitizer That Completely Inactivates the Swine Flu Virus

JERUSALEM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yissum Research Development Company Ltd., the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, presents EtoCleanTM, a new antiviral hand sanitizer which has been found to be highly effective against the swine flu virus. The novel product was invented by Professor Elka Touitou from the School of Pharmacy, of the faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is being developed by Novel Therapeutic Technologies (NTT), a spin-off company of Yissum.

Results of tests conducted on clinically isolated H1N1 virus from patients, the actual pandemic strain of the virus, demonstrate that the innovative composition completely inactivates the swine flu virus within 15 seconds of exposure. The tests were carried out according to the American Society for Testing and Materials protocol in a FDA certified laboratory in the U.S.

"EtoClean appears to completely inactivate the swine flu virus almost immediately, while most hand sanitizers available on the market today were not tested specifically for swine flu," said Yaacov Michlin, President & CEO of Yissum. “Yissum and NTT are currently seeking a strategic partner for the further development of this product, which has clear potential to provide a solution for the spreading of viral infectious diseases."

The new sanitizer exhibits microbicidal and antiviral properties effective for sanitizing a variety of surfaces, foods and skin. As such, it is developed by NTT as a full range of products for different sanitizing uses in various pharmaceutical forms. Furthermore, the novel sanitizer compositions contain GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) ingredients, which are safe for use and environmentally friendly. It does not dry the skin, allowing for the frequent use of the product and leaving a pleasant feeling after application. In addition, the product inactivates also many non-enveloped viruses, such as the hepatitis and noroviruses, which are not susceptible to regular alcohol-based sanitizers.

The work of Prof. Touitou, a worldwide authority in the drug delivery field, focuses on the design of novel carriers for enhanced drug absorption and efficiency. Two start-up companies, NTT and Eden Oils, which are based on her innovative platform technologies, are developing a number of novel pharmaceutical products. Another of her innovative technologies, for treating pain, was recently licensed to Z-Cube, the corporate venture arm of the Italian pharmaceutical firm Zambon.

About the U.S. Market
The Consumer Market – At pharmacies, supermarkets and drugstores sales of hand sanitizers have risen along with fears of the swine flu. Hand sanitizers have grown into a $200-million-a-year industry in the U.S., and sales have been rising, in large part because of the swine flu epidemic. For the 12 weeks that ended on August 9, 2009, sales in the category were up 19% from the previous year.

The Industrial and Professional Market - Institutional and commercial markets for hand sanitizers comprise healthcare facilities, physician offices, corporate offices, restaurants, schools, hotels, airlines, labs and food processing plants. The Military segment also constitutes a key market for hand sanitizers. Over the past several years, waterless alcohol-based rinses have generated the fastest growth opportunities among hand sanitizers, benefiting from a 2002 CDC recommendation advocating their use. U.S. demand for alcohol-based sanitizers in the health care market for 2008 was $470 million and is projected to expand 4.1% annually to $575 million in 2013 according to Freedonia's Infections prevention product and services study report.

About Yissum
Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. was founded in 1964 to protect and commercialize the Hebrew University’s intellectual property. Ranked among the top technology transfer companies in the world, Yissum has registered over 6,100 patents covering 1,750 inventions; has licensed out 480 technologies and has spun-off 65 companies, including BriefCam, HumanEyes, Mobileye and ReadEasy. Yissum’s business partners span the globe and include companies such as IBM, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Monsanto, Novartis, Phillips, Roche, Sygenta, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Vilmorin and many more. For further information please visit www.yissum.co.il.

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Contacts
Yissum Ltd.
Tsipi Haitovsky, +972-52-598-9892
Media Liaison
tsipih@yissum.co.il
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