DuPont Filaments and HealthShield Team Up to Fight Microbe Growth in Brushes

WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont Filaments and HealthShield Technologies, Boston, Mass., have established a joint marketing initiative to promote the use of HealthShield(TM) antimicrobial protection in brushes for oral care and cosmetic applications.

DuPont Filaments has worldwide rights to supply bristles and filaments containing the HealthShield(TM) antimicrobial compound.  HealthShield Technologies owns the rights for use in all other potential applications, including brush handles.

"We selected HealthShield's silver-based agent because of its effectiveness against a wide range of potentially harmful bacteria," said Marsha Craig, global business manager for DuPont Filaments.  "We are pleased indeed to be allied with HealthShield in the brush industry, where DuPont Tynex(R) brand filaments lead in quality and performance," she added.

The HealthShield(TM) antimicrobial compound consists of a patented delivery system that provides for continual, slow release of silver ions, which have inherent antibacterial properties, according to Roger Freedman, chairman and chief executive officer of HealthShield Technologies.  "Our compound can protect treated products against bacterial incursion for the duration of their life cycle, without causing antibiotic resistance," he says.

HealthShield's antimicrobial compound is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  DuPont Filaments anticipates having an EPA permit for commercial sale of Tynex(R) filaments containing the agent in the first quarter of 2000.

"There are numerous additional applications where the HealthShield(TM) antimicrobial compound could help address public concern over the presence of harmful bacteria such as salmonella and e-coli," Freedman says.  The compound can be incorporated into kitchen appliances, air conditioners, humidifiers, dental and biomedical equipment and various other industrial and consumer products.  It is effective in a variety of materials, including plastics, fibers, leather and metals, according to Freedman.

HealthShield Technologies is a Boston-based biotechnology company engaged in antimicrobial research and development.  The HealthShield(TM) brand antimicrobial compound is its flagship product.

DuPont is a science company, delivering science-based solutions that make a difference in people's lives in food and nutrition; health care; apparel; home and construction; electronics; and transportation.  Founded in 1802, the company operates in 65 countries and has 92,000 employees.

Tynex(R) is a registered trademark of DuPont.

HealthShield(TM) is a trademark used by HealthShield Technologies.

SOURCE HealthShield Technologies

CO: HealthShield Technologies; DuPont Filaments; DuPont

ST: Delaware

IN: HEA

SU: PDT JVN

11/01/1999 08:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com