 Chemex chief Sean Derrig says AntiBak's the answer Superbug breakthrough 'could save thousands'
January 28th 2008 Thousands of lives could be saved in Britain’s hospitals after Chemex International announced a breakthrough product.
Launching in the UK this week, Chemex says AntiBak will wipe out Clostridium difficile – a bacteria thought to be responsible for killing more than 4,000 hospital patients a year.
The company claims it is the first time hospitals will have a cleaning agent proven to eradicate C. diff spores on contact and is nearly 1,000 times more effective than any disinfectants currently available - while remaining non toxic and safe to use.
Under development for more than three years, AntiBak has passed international standards confirming its ability to kill some of the world’s most dangerous bacteria and viruses including: C.diff spores; Norovirus; MRSA; Avian Flu H5N1; Polio; SARS; Hepatitis C and HIV.
More than 55,000 cases involving C. diff were reported in UK hospitals last year. In 2005 3,800 people died from C. diff according to the Office for National Statistics which also reported the number of deaths had quadrupled in six years.
Chemex chief executive Sean Derrig says it could strike a decisive blow in the battle againsts HAIs.
"C. diff poses such a huge threat because it produces spores which are notoriously difficult to kill. These spores are what makes C. diff spread so easily and normal cleaning chemicals have no effect on them. The challenge has been to find a product that’s safe to use and kills the spores.
"Now this has been achieved with AntiBak – a powder or tablet diluted in water which is simply sprayed onto surfaces and wiped off, killing C.diff and MRSA as well as a host of other dangerous bacteria and viruses such as Norovirus and Avian Flu.
"The product is non-toxic and non-irritant when mixed with water and is completely biodegradable.
"When used to clean wards or operating theatres it does not require the lengthy shutdowns or specialist techniques which are often associated with traditional 'deep cleans'.
"It is also remarkably cost-effective; it costs less than the disinfectant sprays that you might find in your local supermarket."
AntiBak has been developed by Chemex’s research partner Bio Technics based in Aberdeenshire and in independent testing has achieved the Internationally Approved EN1276 and EN13704 standards against the spores. It has also achieved four other international standards including veterinary approvals from Defra for use against foot and mouth disease, Avian Flu H5N1 and Salmonella choleraesius.
"The Government has made tackling hospital infection one of its priorities and now we can provide hospitals with the most effective weapon available to help ensure patients are protected from potentially lethal bacteria, viruses and spores," adds Derrig.
"Our product will also be invaluable for residential care and nursing homes as well as veterinary surgeons and farmers."
For further details either visit: www.chemex.org.uk or just  click here to email the company directly. More articles from Chemex International: | 
