Coronavirus
Israeli Startup Tries to Clear the Air in Hospital Wards
Aura Air puts its air purification system to the test on the frontlines of the battle against Covid-19
15:0119.04.20
Israeli startup Aura Smart Air Ltdis putting its air purification system to the test, launching a trial at the Central Israel Sheba Medical Center in an effort to filter out the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the hospital’s surgical ward.
On the heels of successful antibacterial laboratory trials that saw its system kill off 99% of influenza viruses, Aura Air, which is part of Highroad Launchpad’s investment portfolio, has shown the potential to filter out the airborne virus, according to company statements.
![The new Emergency Ward at Sheba Medical Center. Photo: Shaul Golan The new Emergency Ward at Sheba Medical Center. Photo: Shaul Golan](https://pic1.calcalist.co.il/PicServer3/2020/03/19/978950/golan-170320-117_973649_l.jpg)
“We started this pilot in order to help the ward in reducing potential infections. Now, we are focused on purifying and sterilizing the air of resistant viruses, including coronavirus (Covid-19),” Aviad Schneiderman, Aura Air’s CEO, and founding partner said in a statement. “In light of our impressive results on the anti-bacterial front, Aura Air is in the final stages of approval for funding by the European Union, who set a goal to find solutions for closed-space infections, with a special emphasis on the coronavirus.”
Following a successful pilot that began in February, the hospital decided to expand the cooperation to include diagnostics labs, staff on-call rooms, surgical units, and at-risk wards. Clinical and microbiological trails will be carried out concurrently.