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Seevix to use spidersilk tech in filters against Covid

19 May '20

2 min read

Pic: Seevix Material Sciences Ltd.

The developer and manufacturer of synthetic SVX spidersilk, Seevix Material Sciences, will use its patented spidersilk technology to produce disposable and safe filters with high entrapment and inactivation efficacy to neutralise COVID-19 and other coronaviruses. The filters will be based upon a specific peptide sequence that binds SARS-CoV-2 particles.

This peptide sequence can be incorporated into SVX fibres, yielding thousands of virus-specific binding sites to immobilise viral particles and prevent their spread. The binding peptide can be quickly adapted to other viruses and mutating viral strains.

SVX fibres with the specific peptide sequence can be incorporated in textiles used in filters, used to coat the external surface of textiles, or form part of a protective insert to entrap and neutralise viruses and microbes.

SVX has the properties of strength, flexibility and low unit weight. Its nano-porous sponge-like structure enables the loading of disinfectants and crosslinking agents.

SVX is environmentally friendly and cost effective. Seevix manufactures SVX by means of a fermenter-based, sustainable, single-step biomimicry process, inducing the self-assembly of protein building blocks into nano-fibrils. SVX biodegrades in a controlled manner without generating toxic waste.

SVX's strength, elasticity and chemical resilience make it extremely versatile with numerous applications for different industries. SVX can be used to coat or reinforce materials in industrial processes such as wet spinning, electrospinning, extrusion, and injection molding, and it also can be integrated into surface coatings, textiles, and solid materials. Rigorous testing has shown that when added to composite materials, SVX shows a dose response even at low percentages, significantly improving the mechanical properties of different materials such as polyurethane, latex and other thermoplastic polymers, without harming their elasticity.

"SVX can be woven into a protective physical filter that neutralises coronaviruses," said Seevix's CEO, Dr. Shlomzion Shen "Seevix is currently developing several market-ready anti-COVID-19 applications and will soon be entering into discussions with potential strategic partners."

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)