Field of invention

The present invention relates to antipathogenic material and the use of such materials.

Background to the invention

A pathogen is an organism that causes disease. Pathogens include virus, bacteria, and fungi. Pathogens are spread everywhere and in particular in public areas such as on surfaces in transportation vehicles such as buses, cars, subways, etc. and other public areas. Pathogens do not only risk of causing diseases in humans but also animals and can spread in different veterinary settings and medical devices. The need for safe and reliable inactivation, removal, or lysis of viruses, bacteria, and fungi is hence universal.

There is a broad need to control pathogens that affect human and animal health as well as agricultural products. Not only is there a need for materials that possess antipathogenic properties for human medicinal therapies, but also for use as surface coatings and/or composites for various medical devices or equipment, examination tables, clothing, filters, masks, gloves, catheters, endoscopic instruments, and the like.

WO 2021/ 177882A1 discloses formulations for use on nails, skin or hair, comprising calcium silicates for local release of calcium and silicon ions.

US 2010/0040655 discloses the use of nanoparticles of a compound of the general formula MnXz/, wherein M is i) a metal, or ii) a non-metal and X is iii) a non-metal.

In the prior art there is still a need for improved methods and materials for the inactivation of pathogens. Summary

The object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art by providing a use of calcium silicate as a pathogen inactivating agent. This is achieved by the invention as defined in the claims.

In one aspect of the invention there is a use of 30-0.1 % by weight or less based on the total composition of a particulate calcium silicate, wherein the calcium silicate is selected from the group of monocalcium silicate (CaOSiOa), dicalcium silicate (CaaSiCh), and tricalcium silicate (CasSiOs), preferably monocalcium silicate (CaOSiCh), as a pathogen inactivating agent as a coating on a device.

In one embodiment of the invention there is a use of 30-5 % by weight or less based on the total composition of a particulate calcium silicate wherein the calcium silicate is selected from the group of monocalcium silicate (CaOSiOa), dicalcium silicate (CaaSiCh), and tricalcium silicate (CasSiOs), preferably monocalcium silicate (CaOSiCh), as a pathogen inactivating agent additive in a composition.

In one embodiment of the invention there is a use wherein the device is surface in a public transportation vehicle or a surface in a hospital.

In one embodiment of the invention there is a use wherein the composition comprises a lotion, cream, or emulsion and the pathogen inactivating agent.

In one embodiment of the invention there is a use wherein the particle size of the particulate calcium silicate is 500-10 pm, or 200-10 pm, or 100-10 pm.

In one embodiment of the invention there is a use wherein the use comprises adding the particulate calcium silicate to a device in a concentration of 30-5 wt% calcium silicate in relation to the weight of the device.

In one embodiment of the invention there is a use wherein the pathogen is influenza virus.

Abbreviations and definitions

‘Monolcalcium silicate’ - CaOSiO;

‘Dicalcium silicate’ - CaaSiCh; Tricalcium silicate’ - CasSiOs;

‘Bioglass’ - or Bioglass 45S5, or calcium sodium phosphosilicate, is a composition of 45 wt% SiOa, 24.5 wt% CaO, 24.5 wt% NaaO, and 6.0 wt% P2O5;

‘Pathogen’ - an organism causing disease to its host, can also be referred to as ‘infectious agent’, includes for example virus, bacteria, and fungi; and

‘% by weight’ or “wt%’ - the weight fraction of a compound in relation to the total weight of a mixture or composition including the component, expressed in percent.

Detailed description

Provided herein is calcium silicate for use as a pathogen inactivating agent.

Calcium silicate is a chemical compound comprising calcium and silicate, commonly in the form of a powder. It exists in different forms such as monocalcium silicate (CaOSiO), dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4), and tricalcium silicate (CasSiOs). It can also be referred to, and is often traded as, Cai-Sil or Calsil. It is used in different pharmaceutical and food applications as an anti-caking agent, as an antiacid, but it can also be used in other applications for example in agriculture as a source of silicon.

In a first aspect of the invention there is a calcium silicate powder material, wherein the calcium silicate is selected from the group of monocalcium silicate (CaOSiO2), dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4), and tricalcium silicate (CasSiOs), preferably monocalcium silicate (CaOSiO2). The calcium silicate powder can be used for deactivation of virus and other pathogens, i.e. as a pathogen inactivating agent. Hence, the invention relates to use of 30-5 % by weight or less based on the total composition of a calcium silicate wherein the calcium silicate is selected from the group of monocalcium silicate (CaOSiO2), dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4), and tricalcium silicate (CasSiOs), preferably monocalcium silicate (CaOSiO2), as a pathogen inactivating agent as a coating on a device. The device may be a public transportation vehicle or office furniture or cleaning agent or a device present in a hospital or veterinary setting or a shampoo /balsam /ointment for pets.

In one aspect of the invention there is a use of 30-5 % by weight or less based on the total composition of a particulate calcium silicate wherein the calcium silicate is selected from the group of monocalcium silicate (CaOSiOa), dicalcium silicate (CaaSiCh), and tricalcium silicate (CasSiOs), preferably monocalcium silicate (CaOSiOa), as a pathogen inactivating agent additive in a composition. The composition may comprise a lotion, cream, or emulsion and the pathogen inactivating agent.

The term ‘pathogen inactivating agent’ refers to an agent that has the ability to render a pathogen unable to infect a host. It can for example be by chemical alteration of lipids or proteins of the pathogen. It can also be via acidic pH that can cause the pathogen to denature. In the present invention a pathogen inactivating agent has the ability to inactivate 50% or more than the present pathogens.

The calcium silicate may be present on at least a portion of a surface of a device, wherein the calcium silicate is present in a concentration sufficient to inactivate a pathogen on the surface of the device. The calcium silicate may be present in the form of a coating on the device. The calcium silicate may present in a concentration of 30 % by weight or less, or 10% by weight or less. The calcium silicate may be present in a concentration of 30-5 % by weight, or 30-10 % by weight, or 30-20 % by weight, or 20-5 % by weight, or 20-10 % by weight, or 10-5 % by weight.

The solubility of calcium silicates (which is a Ca-salt) increases with the amount of Ca in the silicate. Without being bound by any theory, the present invention takes advantage of the solubility of the calcium silicate and release of different ions such as OH, Ca and silicate to inactivate, remove, or lysis of virus, bacteria, and fungi. In one embodiment of the invention there is a use of calcium silicate powder for inactivating of influenza virus.

The following calcium silicate phases are suitable for use according to the invention: mono calcium silicate (CaOSiOa), di calcium silicate ((CaO^SiOa) and tri calcium silicate ((CaOjsSiOa). Preferably the mono calcium silicate phase. Such calcium silicate salts are mildly soluble in water (or humid environment) and provide a source for slow release of the ions

The calcium silicate according to the invention is in the form of a powder, or particulate calcium silicate. In one embodiment the particle size, or powder grain size can vary between 10 nm to 800 micrometer, preferably between 10 nm and 50 micrometer, even more preferred 10 nm to 25 micrometer and most preferred 100 nm to 25 micrometer. In one embodiment the average particle size, or grain size, is 10-25 pm.

The calcium silicate can also be added to industrial products where antipathogenic properties are desired, non-limiting examples includes products where spread of viruses and/or bacteria is a risk e.g. transportation surfaces (buses, cars, subway) or public areas or hospitals.

The calcium silicate according to the invention can also be added as an antipathogenic additive composition, for example to a lotion, cream, or emulsion.

The calcium silicate can also be added to veterinary products where antipathogenic properties are desired, non-limiting examples includes products where spread of viruses and/or bacteria is a risk e.g. veterinary hospitals or products for veterinary use on animals.

The calcium silicate can be added as a powder to be applied on the skin, wounds, hair and / or nails. The calcium silicate powder is distributed in a formulation for it to be well spread when applying the product. The powder can be added to the formulation using ordinary mixing equipment. The formulation may for example comprise a lotion, an emulsion, an oil, etc. In one embodiment the amount of added calcium silicate powder in the formulation is between 0.001 to 30 wt%. Preferably 0.01 to wt3%.

In a second aspect of the invention there is a calcium silicate powder according to the invention for use as a medicament. In one embodiment there is a calcium silicate for use in the treatment of virus infections. The present invention also relates to calcium silicate particles or powder according to the invention for use in prevention or treatment of infections caused by virus, bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens.

When used as a medicament the concentration of calcium silicate may be 0.1-30 wt%, or 0.1-15 wt%, or 0.1-5 wt%, or 0-1-1 wt%.

Treatment of infections’ as used herein does not necessarily mean curative treatment but also encompass inhibition and reduction of the short- and long-term symptoms caused by infections. Hence, ‘treatment’ also encompasses delaying onset of infections, including delaying, preventing onset of symptoms. The method comprises administrating calcium silicate powder according to the invention to a subject for example to skin, to wounds, hair, or nails. The subject is a mammalian subject, for example a human subject. The subject may also be an animal subject such as a pet, for example a dog or a cat. The particles or powder can be administrated locally in the form of a lotion, cream, emulsion, or similar product.

Also provided herein is a method of treating or preventing a pathogen at a location in a human.

As another part of the invention described herein the calcium silicate can be replaced by a bioglass. Hence, herein ‘calcium silicate’ can be exchanged for “bioglass’ and thus in one aspect of the invention there is a bioglass powder material. The bioglass powder can be used for deactivation of virus and other pathogens, i.e. as a pathogen inactivating agent. Hence, the invention relates to use of 30%-5 by weight or less based on the total composition of a bioglass as a pathogen inactivating agent in a device.

All embodiments disclosed herein relate to all aspects of the present invention and all embodiments may be combined unless stated otherwise.

Examples

Example 1

Mono calcium silicate powder (CaOSiOa), with a grain size of below 200 micrometer was mixed with media for an hour. The mixture was centrifuged, the supernatant separated and then added the virus to the supernatant and infected the cells. The results showed a virus inactivation of more than 95%.

Example 2

Mono calcium silicate powder (CaOSiOa), with a grain size of below 100 micrometer was mixed into a lotion to an amount of 15 wt.%. The lotion was then soaked into water at RT for 72 hours (1 gram of material in 10 ml of water). The mixture was centrifuged, the supernatant separated, sterile filtered and then added the virus to the supernatant and infected the cells. The results showed a virus inactivation of more than 70%.

Example 3 Mono calcium silicate powder (CaOSiOa), with a grain size of below 100 micrometer was mixed into PMMA to an amount of 15 wt.%. The composite was then soaked into a water at RT for 72 hours (1 gram of material in 10 ml of water). The supernantant was sterile filtered, then added the virus to the supernatant and infected the cells. The results showed a virus inactivation of more than 70%.