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EPA Grants Registration for VESTEX® Proprietary Antimicrobial Agent

March 1, 2021

Approval Builds Upon Prior FDA 510(k) Clearance; Piedmont Chemical Industries to manufacture the proprietary antimicrobial agent

ORLANDO, Fla. – March 1, 2021 – VESTEX® announced today that its proprietary Ignaz antimicrobial agent used in its active barrier fabric system has received registration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA).
“The antimicrobial is an integral component of the VESTEX® dual mechanism of action which has already received 510(k) clearance by the FDA. The EPA registration adds to the intellectual property of the VESTEX® system that protects wearers and reduces their exposure to infectious organisms and fluids,” said Uncas Benjamin Favret III, company founder & CEO.

Piedmont Chemical Industries of High Point, NC will manufacture the antimicrobial agent as part of a new strategic partnership, Favret said.

“We have applications for workwear, uniforms and products where wearers are at risk for unanticipated exposures to dangerous germs and fluids. We are actively seeking strategic licensing partners who are aligned with our mission of protection and can use VESTEX® to enhance the performance and safety of their brand’s products,” he added.

VESTEX®’s dual mechanism of action repels fluids and reduces microbes on fabric surfaces thereby preventing microorganisms from being acquired, retained, and transmitted. Working in conjunction with the VESTEX® fluid-repellent fabric surface, the antimicrobial agent employs several mechanisms to reduce microbial colonization by disrupting cell membranes, denaturing cell surfaces and transmembrane proteins, and inactivating bio-energetic systems of microorganisms.

“These are all scientifically critical points of differentiation from other products, fabrics or technologies currently on the market claiming ‘antimicrobial’ or ‘antiviral’ effectiveness,” Favret said. “The FDA used well-controlled investigations of worst-case use scenarios to assess the effectiveness of apparel protected by VESTEX® to reduce the retention of MRSA and dangerous fluids. We’ve been endorsed by the American Hospital Association and recommended by the National Science Foundation Center for Healthcare Transformation. No other apparel or fabric with silver, zinc or any other agent can make such clinically valid protective performance and safety claims.”

“It’s the difference between snake oil verses science,” Favret said. “VESTEX® is proven to be effective; other technologies don’t work and worse, they potentially put wearers and brands at risk.”

Based on the FDA recognized hierarchy of microbial resistance, VESTEX®’s ability to reduce retention of MRSA on the surface of the apparel would also apply to Covid-19, according to Favret. “To validate this performance we’ve successfully completed studies and will be submitting the research to the FDA for review,” he said.

About VESTEX®
VESTEX®, is the first a new class of FDA 510(k)Cleared Active Barrier protective apparel combining antimicrobial, fluid repellent and comfort properties. The Association of Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) likens clothing to “a virtual conveyer belt for infection.“ VESTEX® fabric is designed to protect uniforms and work apparel by reducing the acquisition, retention and transmission of microorganisms on clothing. Based on the research reviewed by the FDA, VESTEX® earned an exclusive endorsement from the American Hospital Association (AHA) in 2015 following the proprietary AHA Signature Due Diligence Process. Recent studies concluded VESTEX® is more effective than conventional uniforms at repelling fluids and reducing the retention of methicillin-resistant staph on the fabric. For more information, or to inquire about partnerships and licensing opportunities, visit the newly relaunched and totally redesigned website, VESTEX.com.

Additional Facts:

  • Apparel made with VESTEX® combines antimicrobial and fluid repellent technologies designed for continuous comfortable wear and protection for workers in settings where intermittent or unexpected exposure to microorganisms from blood, body fluids and other potentially infectious material can occur.
  • VESTEX® apparel is specifically designed to replace non-protective clothing that leaves workers at risk and works in conjunction with and does not replace PPE that is worn for specific use and during episodes of expected potentially infectious material exposure.

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  • The ability of VESTEX® to reduce the retention of MRSA on the fabric surface has not been shown to correlate with the reduction of infections.
  • Clinical studies to evaluate reduction of infection have not been performed for this device.
  • VESTEX® Apparel is not intended to replace personal protective equipment.
  • VESTEX® does not replace PPE worn for specific use and during episodes of expected blood, body fluid and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) exposure.

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