Cupron and NASA are partnering to test the effectiveness of antimicrobial textiles in a simulated space environment over a 120-day period as part of NASA’s HI-SEAS program. Cupron will be supplying a head-to-toe range of Cupron-enhanced garments to help determine if antimicrobial textiles can reduce bacterial cross-contamination and limit the amount of space needed to store disposable garments – and their subsequent waste – such as socks and first-layer clothing.

NASA’s HI-SEAS program (Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) is designed to identify many of the risks associated with long-term space exploration and research solutions through a series of missions in a controlled setting here on Earth. The first mission will involve a six-person crew living in the habitat for 120 days under Mars-exploration conditions (e.g. with communication latencies and blackouts, in close quarters, under strict water-use rules, etc.).
One of the HI-SEAS researchers, Dr. Yajaira Sierra Sastre, is conducting a microbiological analysis of the habitat environment, including the evaluation of commercial, off-the-shelf products representing the latest in textile , as part of the HI-SEAS mission. After researching existing available products, Dr. Sastre identified Cupron’s products as the ideal candidates for her study.

For more information click here.

Company’s fibers demonstrate ability to kill 99.99% of athlete’s foot cause in 12 hours

Cupron, creator of a copper-based antimicrobial technology, announced today that its pioneering technology has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval to make a first-of-its-kind Public Health Claim.  This is the third EPA Public Health Claim awarded to Cupron and the first highlighting the unique anti-fungal capability of Cupron’s copper-based technology.

In awarding the Public Health Claim, the EPA found that Cupron’s copper-enhanced textile material can kill Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the active fungus in athlete’s foot, by more than 99.9% after 12 hours of contact with the fiber.  The unique Public Health Claim covers the use of Cupron anti-fungal fibers in a variety of settings, including socks, shoe inserts and bathmats.  The EPA designation allows for a variety of marketing claims (see examples below) that will be used by Cupron and Cupron Enhanced partner products beginning in the near future.

“Fungal skin infections such as athlete’s foot are a common and irritating affliction, a condition that has been difficult to prevent and treat successfully,” said Alastair Monk, Cupron Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs.  “This Public Health Claim by the EPA validates the uniqueness and effectiveness of Cupron’s copper-based fiber technology in killing nearly 100% of the underlying fungal cause of athlete’s foot. This technology significantly expands the options available for foot care.”

Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection of the foot that can cause itching, stinging and burning and can be spread by contact with an infected person, their socks, shoes and contaminated surfaces.  Skin fungal infections afflict an estimated 10% to 20% of the U.S. population (between 29 to 59 million individuals) at least once in any given year, with athlete’s foot being the most common[1].   It also has been estimated that up to 70% of the world’s population will experience a cutaneous fungal infection at some point in their lives[2], and 45% of those with athlete’s foot will have recurrent episodes for more than 10 years[3].

In order to submit these claims to the EPA, the textile had to achieve a 100-percent pass rate
at an independent testing facility under the highest laboratory standards.  The samples were tested with simulated wear conditions, environmental conditions and cleaning protocols.  They also had to maintain their efficacy after repeated exposure.

Cupron developed this material with a range of performance characteristics that provides the mechanical properties of high performance textiles, the aesthetics for design flexibility and high antimicrobial and skin enhancement performance.  Cupron technology is different than other antimicrobial fibers due to its performance as demonstrated by multiple public health claims. Because the Cupron technology is embedded within the fiber itself, the material will not lose its effectiveness over time and wear-and-tear.

Cupron-enhanced socks already are issued to select military organizations around the world because of the anti-fungal qualities they possess that can benefit soldiers in the field for multiple days. In 2010, Cupron supplied the trapped Chilean miners with its anti-fungal socks. Although many of the trapped miners had begun to suffer skin-related issues with their feet, upon receiving the Cupron socks, most of the miners saw these problems resolve within a week of wearing the socks.

“We anticipate announcing in the coming months the specific products that will employ the successfully tested Cupron fiber technology,” said Chris Andrews, Cupron President – Americas.  “Our initial focus will be on socks and marketed broadly to those who may suffer from athlete’s foot. Cupron’s assistance to the trapped Chilean miners in 2010 illustrated the clear health benefits of the Cupron technology. Today, we have regulatory validation of this as well. We are excited by our partner relationships that will soon bring these benefits to consumers around the world.”

Specifically, the following statements are included in the EPA registration:

• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will assist in reducing the spread of T. mentagrophytes (athlete’s foot fungus)
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will [reduce, inhibit, suppress, kill] 99.9% of T. mentagrophytes (athlete’s foot fungus) after 12 hours of contact with the [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will inhibit the propagation and harboring of T. mentagrophytes on [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will help to inhibit  the growth of T. mentagrophytes the causative agent of athlete’s foot on [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will help to suppress the growth of T. mentagrophytes the fungus that is the causative agent of athlete’s foot on [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal  fibers will [reduce, inhibit, suppress, kill] 99.9% of the T. mentagrophytes (athlete’s foot fungus) on the [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will inhibit the growth  of T. mentagrophytes, athlete’s foot fungus, on [socks, bathmats, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers reduce(s) the spread of T. mentagrophytes, athlete’s foot fungus, on the surface of the sock
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers prevent(s) the growth of 99.9% of T. mentagrophytes, athlete’s foot fungus, on the sock
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers will [reduce, inhibit, suppress, kill] 99.9% of T. mentagrophytes, athlete’s foot fungus, on the [sock, bathmat, shoe inserts]
• Cupron AntiFungal fibers significantly reduce(s) 99.9% of T. mentagrophytes, the fungus that causes athlete’s foot on the sock

Cupron is proud to support the United States Deep Caving Team in their 2013 J2 Expedition to the Cueve Cheve in Oaxaca, Mexico. In March 2013, 11 people will go down to  the deepest known cavern in the Western Hemisphere and the world’s 11^th deepest. Their mission is to make a connection with Cueva Cheve that will produce a cave system more than 2 kilometers in depth. The integration of the entire system will produce a 2,597-meter-deep cave and would represent the deepest natural abyss yet discovered.

One of the greatest limitations (time and distance underground) to Deep Caving expeditions arises out of infections from fungal and bacterial pathogens that thrive in these extreme environments. Such infections reduce time underground and in turn the extent to which cave systems can be discovered, explored and mapped. Cupron will supply the team with customized gloves and socks to transform regular products into essential devices that protect their skin through the power of copper. As with the trapped Chilean Miners who got Cupron socks to protect them in the extreme conditions they were in, these products will allow the expeditions to extend their time underground, and make the most of their arduous process of discovery.

We wish the team good luck achieving all their goals in the expedition and of course look forward to seeing them back safe.

The 2013 J2 Expedition will be documented by Discovery Channel.

For more information click here.

Cupron is pleased to announce that Chief Medical Scientist and Virologist, Dr. Gadi Borkow and the Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs, Dr. Alastair Monk will be presenting at the upcoming Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Genomics Conference in San Antonio, Texas (November 12-14, 2012).

The Clinical Microbiology & Microbial Genomics Conference convenes a diverse range of  large and medium biotech and diagnostics companies, leading universities and clinical microbiology institutions from all over the world.  It is with this impressive backdrop of professionals that four talks will be given about the impact of Cupron’s copper-based technology on an array of bacteria and infections:

• Utilizing Cupron enhanced biocidal linens in a clinical setting – Initial results of a clinical field trial to combat hospital acquired infection. Dr. Gadi Borkow
• Reducing the risk of skin pathologies in diabetics by using copper impregnated socks. Dr. Gadi Borkow
• Cupron Anti-fungal fibers and Fabrics – a new generation of material in the prevention of mycological infections. Dr. Alastair Monk
• Cupron Enhanced Fabrics and Fibers for the prevention of bacterial and fungal skin infections. Dr. Alastair Monk

Do not miss this opportunity to learn more about our technology. For dates and times for these talks click here for the program.

RICHMOND, Va. and NORFOLK, Va.  —Cupron, creator of a copper-based antimicrobial technology, and EOS Surfaces, a solid surface manufacturer, jointly announce that their surface, Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces, has received the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval to make a Public Health Claim that their copper-enhanced material can kill greater than 99.9% of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria* within two hours of exposure. Prior to this, only
elemental copper and certain copper alloys held this official distinction.

The approval is based on Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces’ ability to kill specific disease-causing bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (O157:H7). MRSA is one of the most common strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a well-recognized cause of health care-acquired infections (HAIs). The two companies expect this material to help health care organizations and infection control specialists manage HAIs. The product is approved for use in a wide range of applications, including health care.

“The EPA’s approval of our public health claims surrounding Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces is a pivotal
moment in not only the commercialization of our technology, but also how health care facilities combat
hospital infections,” said Paul Rocheleau, chairman of Cupron.  “HAIs have a devastating effect on the
health care environment, causing thousands of deaths and costing billions of dollars each year. While we
fully acknowledge our surface won’t end this problem, we believe these innovative materials will
provide an additional layer of protection in managing the risks associated with microbial control.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates HAIs affect 2 million individuals and
result in about 100,000 deaths annually. The use of antimicrobial materials for frequently touched
surfaces may be an effective supplement to existing CDC-prescribed hand-washing and disinfection
regimens.

In order to submit these claims to the EPA, the surface first had to achieve a 100-percent pass rate of
thousands of samples at an independent testing laboratory under the highest laboratory standards
available. The samples were tested in various environmental conditions, cleaning protocols, and for
efficacy after repeated exposure. EOS Surfaces also performed extensive ASTM testing to support
mechanical performance claims.

Specifically, the following statements are included in the EPA registration:

• “This surface continuously reduces bacterial* contamination achieving a 99.9% reduction within
  two hours of exposure.”
• “This surface kills greater than 99.9% of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria* within two
  hours of exposure.”
•  “This surface kills greater than 99.9% of bacteria* within two hours and continues to kill 99% of
  bacteria* even after repeated contamination.”
• “This surface helps inhibit the buildup and growth of bacteria* within two hours of exposure
  between routine cleaning and sanitizing steps.”

*Testing demonstrates effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538),
Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048), Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA-ATCC 33592), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 35150) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442).

“This approval affirms what we’ve known for a while, that our surface has the potential to make a real
impact with infection rates among hospitals and other health care institutions,” said Ken Trinder, CEO of
EOS Surfaces. “Our next goal is to establish a network of distributors, fabricators and end-use partners
to get these materials in the field so that it can begin saving lives, keeping people healthier and reducing
costs. The EOS Surfaces are designed to be used for countertops, nurses’ stations, wall panels and
building components, showers and lavatory fixtures, furniture and tables, and a broad range of other
products.”

Cupron and EOS Surfaces will set up a product stewardship program to support the responsible use of
the technology and obtain feedback from users of the surface. Cupron and EOS, together with various
health care partners, will further evaluate the benefit of antimicrobial-protected surfaces (hard surfaces
and textiles) in reducing the amount of disease-causing bacteria in medical facilities.

Cupron and EOS Surfaces jointly developed this material with a range of performance characteristics
that provides the mechanical properties of non-porous solid surfaces, the aesthetics for design flexibility
and high antimicrobial performance. Because the Cupron technology is embedded throughout the
surface, it will not lose its effectiveness over time and wear-and-tear. In fact, it can be fabricated,
polished and modified as needed.

Furthermore, EOS is building a new state-of-the-art facility in Norfolk, Virginia for the large-scale
manufacturing of Cupron Enhanced EOS. The new facility, expected to begin operation in early 2013,
will have specialized equipment that has been designed to commercialize the proprietary technology for
a range of products. The new plant will manufacture various thicknesses of Cupron Enhanced EOS cast
slabs, perform finishing operations, and will have the capability to manufacture pre-made vanities and
other ancillary surfacing products for microbial control.

Health care organizations, architects, health care design consultants or distributors interested in Cupron<BR>Enhanced EOS Surfaces can contact EOS Surfaces at 800-719-EOS1 or email at kgt@eos-surfaces.com

The use of the Antimicrobial Cupron Enhanced EOS Surface is a supplement to and not a substitute for
standard infection control practices; users must continue to follow all current infection control
practices, including those practices related to cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces.
The Antimicrobial Cupron Enhanced EOS Surface has been shown to reduce microbial contamination
but it does not necessarily prevent cross contamination.

About EOS Surfaces:
EOS Surfaces, LLC is a solid surface manufacturer, founded in 2005, which revolutionized the solid
surface industry with the first 3cm surface, a change from most ½” solid surfaces that require additional
labor costs and edge build up for proper installation. The product received the International Solid
Surface Fabricators Association’s (ISSFA) 2007 Envision Award, honoring the year’s most innovative
product.

EOS Surfaces also offers GEOS, an environmentally friendly option that uses recycled glass in its
construction, and Cupron Enhanced EOS, the industry’s first EPA registered, copper-infused hard surface
that is approved to make Public Health Claims regarding its antimicrobial capabilities. For more
information, visit www.eos-surfaces.com.

Tel Aviv, Israel- Cupron’s diabetic socks were launched in Israel in partnership with the Perrigo Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of over the counter medical products, at the annual Diabetes Convention.

Diabetes is increasingly a problem worldwide, especially in the United States. Trillions of dollars are spent caring for diabetic cases, who suffer from numerous complications. Diabetic patients are susceptible to foot problems, which is why a more innovative approach/solution is needed to help them cope. Copper – an essential mineral in the human body has unique properties that make it the optimal mineral that can help  protect a diabetic’s feet . Therefore, when Cupron’s copper-based technology is introduced into diabetic socks, it transforms them into extraordinary socks that can really make a difference.