Vial of Viruferrin (registered trademark). Created by Virustatic, Viruferrin is a lactoferrin-based protein which has been shown to be able to disable viruses, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Viruferrin was designed to be able to be applied to fabric as a coating in order to provide anti-viral protection.

Invented by Paul Hope, an engineer from Manchester. Early research was undertaken in collaboration between Virustatic and the University of Manchester under Professor Sabine Flitsch.

Mr Hope was inspired to develop this protein technology after the SARS epidemic in 2010. His grandfather had died of Spanish Flu in 1919 and Mr Hope believed that another pandemic flu was inevitable. The snood came to market in March 2020.

Virustatic are a high-tech company engaging with advanced materials, health innovation and biosciences through their work to create anti-viral fabric. The acquisition demonstrates Greater Manchester’s development from a traditional textiles industry to a contemporary focus on high-tech fabrics.