Safe and Effective Antiviral Technology for diagnostics and prevention of SARS-CoV-2

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused extensive health, economic and social damage in the UK and worldwide. As countries reactivate economies, it is essential to reduce transmission risks of bioaerosols in enclosed places (e.g. public transport, workplaces, health, education, and leisure settings) and contaminated soft surfaces (textiles/face masks) using safe disinfection technologies.

In response to the Covid-19 crisis, Aqdot (Cambridge-based SME), in collaboration with University of Cambridge has recently demonstrated that its platform technology, AqBit (cucurbit\[n\]urils, CBs), is a unique virucide that inhibits SARS-CoV-2-pseudovirus without harming human cells. The technology, available at multi-tonne scale, is safe for humans and the environment as evidenced in the REACH (100 tonne/annum) registration dossier.

The project will be completed in the UK between Aqdot, Dr Sam Jones (cucurbit\[n\]uril understanding and virology expertise) at the Henry Royce Institute, University of Manchester, and Professors Andrew Bayly and Nik Kapur (spray generation, characterisation and development) at the School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds.

The project will focus on the development of safe and efficacious antiviral spray formulations based on Aqdot's technology to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in soft surfaces (fabrics) and bioaerosols. The project will deliver comprehensive technical, safety data packages, including AqBit-based formulations, delivery devices specification and virucidal performance validation against SARS-CoV-2\. Scalable product demonstrators will be generated for each application (fabric and airborne virus) using hand-held spray devices for small spaces, and a regulatory strategy will be put in place to ensure quick biocidal registration. Also, the concept of automatic spray devices will be validated for use in larger enclosed spaces.

The demonstrator formulation/device combinations will be designed for rapid commercialisation, upon success, as low-cost products providing readily available, affordable solutions to reduce the transmission rates of Covid-19, benefitting individuals and businesses. These products will build societal confidence to "return to normal" in the UK and beyond.