Local med-tech startup Plasma Shield is set to begin trials of their ground-breaking air purification device thanks to $550,000 in support from the Marshall Government.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the Plasma Shield product had already proven effective in the prevention of airborne virus transmission in laboratory trials making it a prime candidate for Research, Commercialisation and Startup Fund (RCSF) support.
"Plasma Shield has identified that their technology has promising commercial applications in the healthcare industry and is planning field trials in a range of medical clinics," Minister Pisoni said.
"Plasma Shield could potentially provide additional protection against the airborne transmission of the COVID-19 virus and has the potential to deliver South Australia a medical, jobs and economic benefit.
"RCSF funding from the Marshall Liberal Government will be matched with $550,000 in private investment."
PlasmaShield Co-founder and Director of Business Development Bogdan Duszynski said the company's technology has demonstrated real potential to eliminate super-bugs and significantly reduce the Healthcare Acquired Infections.
"Given the technology's unique ability to electrolyse water molecules in air, it also prevents the spread of airborne contamination created from coughs and sneezes and could be a new viable weapon in the war against COVID," Mr Duszunski said.
The Keswick-based company had already obtained listing with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), CE certification to medical directive standards as well as ISO 13485 certification and is currently exploring the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval pathways for future commercialisation in the USA.
"While this technology pre-dates the COVID pandemic, it has direct clinical relevance to the way in which we manage the spread of viruses and bacteria in a post-COVID environment, is proven to be safe and effective in clinical environments and has the potential to be applied in the public domain including aircraft and public transport," Mr Duszunski said.
"The South Australian Government's funding contribution will allow us to explore ways in which we can further refine and adapt the Plasma Shield technology to limit transmission of infection in any future pandemics."
Other recent recipients of the RCSF include:
- Apxium – provides automated and integrated accounts payable solutions to businesses. Received funding for software development, allowing the business to tailor product to the requirements of key partners.
- BiomeBank – received funding to support the development of a 'biobank' of bacteria, with an aim of improving the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis.
- Woven Optics – the Woven Optics wool testing device aims to deliver real-time, in-shed wool grading. Received funding to support field trials with potential customers.
- Platfarm – received funding to advance the development of their Precision Agriculture Software, allowing them to embark on a market trial.
- Workfacta – received funding to commercialise their Workfacta software, designed to assist management teams in the development and execution of business strategy.
Stream Two of the Research, Commercialisation and Startup Fund (RCSF) has been re-launched as the Seed-Start program, making it easier for the South Australian startup community to understand and access what State Government support may be available to them.
Applications to Seed-Start are accepted on an ongoing basis.
