Reformat Current NON-TOXIC Hard Surface Sanitizer Formulation to Inactivate and Kill B. Anthraces and Other Bio-Warfare Pathogens

Antimicrobial nanoemulsion technology was developed by Dr. James Baker at the University of Michigan Medical School over a period of 5 years. That research was funded by grants from the Defense Advanced Research Programs Agency (DARPA). DARPA identified a need for a nontoxic, noncorrosive, biodefense decontamination material that can decontaminate equipment, personnel, structures, and terrain in the event of a biological incident. A series of surfactant lipid nanoemulsions that have extensive antimicrobial activity and are not toxic to tissues resulted from this effort. Nanoemulsions are oil-in-water emulsions that employ droplets that range from 200 to 800 nanometers. They are composed of detergents, vegetable oil, salt, water, a food-grade alcohol, and for anthrax decontamination, a spore germination enhancer. The physical structure of the nanoemulsion contains the surfactants that mediate the antimicrobial activity. The emulsion droplet disrupts microorganisms through fusion with and destabilization of the cell membrane, leading to lysis. Commercialization of this technology should result in a safe biodecontaminate that will kill bacteria, enveloped viruses, spores, and fungi, including anthrax and smallpox, while presenting no toxic threat to humans or the environment. In December 1999, the U.S. Army tested a broad spectrum nanoemulsion and nine other biodecontamination technologies at Dugway, UT, against an anthrax surrogate, Bacillus globigii. Nanoemulsion was one of four technologies that proved effective and the only nontoxic formulation available. Other tests against the vaccine strain of Bacillus anthracis (sterne strain) were conducted by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratories and by the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research. The goal of this Phase I research project is to modify the new, safer nanoemulsion formulation for efficacy against anthrax by incorporating two nontoxic spore germination enhancers. Earlier studies have shown that careful selection of the enhancers, their ratio, and their concentration has a significant impact on efficacy against spores. Determination of the most efficacious formulation through efficacy tests against Bacillus spores will be conducted. The commercial application, NanoProtect™, will be nontoxic, very safe to humans, and serve as a biodecontaminate for standby emergency use in buildings and building contents. Customers will include federal, state, and local governments and corporations. A subcontractor will provide the manufacturing. Sales and support will be provided by NanoBio Corporation. NanoBio Corporation management has significant business experience applicable to the projects that will be required for the commercial success of NanoProtect™.