Hartalega Malaysia and Chemical Intelligence UK have announced the European launch of the world’s first non-leaching antimicrobial medical glove.
Manufactured by Hartalega, a major producer of nitrile gloves in the world, the new product has in-built antimicrobial technology proven to kill microorganisms to prevent the spread of infections.
The “game-changing” medical glove is the first ever to contain a new active microorganism-killing molecule designed to prevent the spread of bacteria to and from surfaces and people. The range is now available to private and public health organisations.
With the biotech built into the glove, it does not need applications of further solutions or chemicals. Bacteria coming into contact will be exposed to the antimicrobial activity which, in independent testing, achieved up to a 5-log (99.999%) kill within just five minutes of contact, the company said.
This ground-breaking innovation – which also has the patent in the US – is the result of a joint mission between the two companies.
Kuan Mun Leong, managing director of Hartalega Holdings Berhad commented: “In the European Union alone, cross-contamination in hospitals results in 37,000 deaths a year at an additional cost of 7 billion euros. By renovating a medical device that has not been remodelled in over 30 years, our innovation is set to make waves in the healthcare industry and save lives across the globe.”
R&D breakthrough
Available for hospitals and laboratories
Hartalega funded and backed Chemical Intelligence, a UK-based antimicrobial research and development specialist, in the development of the revolutionary technology alongside Dr Paul Wight, chemist, and professor Richard James, microbiologist from the University of Nottingham.
The product has been in the research and development phase for over six years with millions of dollars of funding already being channelled into it and various stages of testing completed.
Set to be available in hospitals around the world, the product is being produced at a low cost to prevent barriers to access.
Rob Gros, founder of Chemical Intelligence, said: “After years of development, we are delighted to finally release this product to market and truly believe it will make a significant difference in the fight against healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Like Hartalega, we have a passion for innovation and together we are the perfect partners to release this technology.”
Hartalega is now harbouring plans that the new tech will become a medical industry standard across the globe.
