Recent studies conducted at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru (IISc) show that the ZeBox, an innovative air decontamination technology developed by the Bengaluru-based healthcare startup Biomoneta, can eliminate airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus with 99.9999 per cent efficiency.

The DBT-BIRAC funded study used, aerosolised coronavirus and not a surrogate or immobilised virus, providing a robust validation for its elimination from the air. 

The technology is effective against pathogens notorious for causing secondary infections in hospitals, including bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi such as Candida, and viruses such as H1N1 which causes influenza. ZeBox’s activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen causing TB, is noteworthy. 

Janani Venkatraman, Co-founder and CEO, Biomoneta adds, “Post COVID, there is a realisation that air treatment needs microbe-specific standards. The methods used to disinfect air even in state-of-the-art medical environments focus on particulate matter removal as a surrogate for microbial decontamination. Our medical and surgical procedures have evolved significantly, we aspire to bring air sterilization to the same level.”