Aphios Receives Patent for Virus Inactivation Method

The U.S. Patent Office has granted Aphios Corp. (Woburn, MA) Patent No. 5,877,005, entitled "Viral Inactivation Method Using Near-Critical, Supercritical or Critical Fluids".

Aphios' virus inactivation method is based on advanced liquid-liquid technology using supercritical, critical, or near-critical fluids with/without cosolvents (SuperFluids) for the gentle and rapid inactivation of both non-enveloped and enveloped viruses. SuperFluids are normally gases that, when compressed, exhibit enhanced solvation, penetration, and expansion properties. SuperFluids are used to permeate and inflate the virus particles. The overfilled particles are then decompressed and, as a result of rapid phase conversion and expansion, rupture at their weakest points.

Inactivation of pathogenic viruses is a major healthcare concern. Viruses of concern include the enveloped HIV, the non-enveloped hepatitis A virus, and unknowns that are created from evolutionary mutations in hospital rooms or that may have jumped species from animal hosts into human beings as a result of rain forest disruptions.

Aphios Corp. is a privately held research and development company focusing on research tools and industrial processes for the improved discovery, manufacturing, delivery, and safety of naturally derived and genetically engineered therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, AIDS, and other infectious.

For more information: Trevor P. Castor, CEO, Aphios Corp., 3-E Gill Street, Woburn, MA 01801. Tel: 617-932-6933. Fax: 617-932-6865.