Virus-fighting startup Singletto closed a $10 million Series A investment round and is now selling its pathogen-killing face masks on Amazon.
The Seattle company was also selected by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to join its Embedded Entrepreneur Initiative. The program provides startups with DARPA support to promote technologies that could aid U.S. national security.
Singletto has developed what it calls Oxafence Active Protection, a technology that uses methylene blue, a chemical known for its ability to kill viruses, bacteria and fungi. It’s also relatively safe for humans as methylene blue is used in the treatment of various health conditions.
Tests of Oxafence showed that 99.9% of specific viral strains were inactivated within five minutes of contact with a face mask treated with the product. The technology has potential for use on wide-ranging healthcare items.
Singletto received FDA approval for Oxafence last year.
As part of the Embedded Entrepreneur Initiative program, infectious disease specialist Kelli Blaize-Wise will closely partner with Singletto to consider these other uses.
“It’s exciting to work with Singletto on advancing the company’s first commercial product, which is currently the only FDA-cleared mask in the U.S. that inactivates tested viruses,” Blaize-Wise said in a statement.
“We’re also actively exploring applications in warfighter protection, wound care, and other areas where this platform could offer real value,” she added.
The launch of Singletto masks on Amazon comes at a fortuitous time as flu and COVID infections increase in the winter.
“Moving to Amazon is an important step for us,” said CEO John Bjornson. “Our intention is to be able to reach the nurses that don’t have access to these options through their employers, as well as other people and families who have that extra concern and they’re searching for something that gives them better confidence.”
A box of 50, American-made Oxafence masks is currently offered on Amazon for $38. Prices for competing products vary widely — the same quantity of U.S.-made N95 masks from BNX cost nearly $40, while similar masks from China are available for less than $20.
Singletto launched in 2020 and its co-founders have deep roots in healthcare and entrepreneurship in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Tom Lendvay, chief medical officer, is a pediatric urologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital and University of Washington’ professor. Dr. Jim Chen, chief science officer, is a former neurosurgeon who previously launched an oncology research company.
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