Columbia Technology Ventures

Zinc salt composition for the prevention of mucosal and dermal irritation in healthcare workers

This technology is a topical agent with a low concentration of soluble zinc salts that prevents dermal and mucosal irritations to reduce the transmission of infectious disease in the hospital setting.

Unmet Need: Topical agent for reducing skin irritation caused by exposure to common therapeutic dermal agents

Antimicrobial products are essential for the prevention of the transmission of infectious diseases, especially in facilities such as hospitals where health care workers can potentially carry pathogens from one patient to another. Unfortunately, ingredients in these products can cause irritation to the dermis or mucous membranes, thereby increasing the risk of infection. Adverse side effects also mean healthcare workers are less likely to follow proper disinfection guidelines. These shortcomings highlight the need for fully functional anti-infective agent that does not cause harmful dermal irritations.

The Technology: Zinc-based therapeutic agent to reduce harmful dermal and mucosal irritation and prevent the spread of infection

This technology describes the addition of low concentrations of water-soluble zinc salts, essential natural oils, or fruit acids to aqueous and alcohol-based compositions to reduce dermal irritation while maintaining anti-infective properties. These compositions are effective in preventing irritation caused by spermicides, microbicides, fungicides, alcohol-based disinfectants, and other potentially-irritating therapeutic agents. Importantly, the concentration of these additives is low enough so that the risk of toxicity, inactivation of therapeutic compounds, and mucosal irritation are minimized. In addition, the large permutations of additives allows for both a broader spectrum of pathogens to be targeted. This technology is highly adaptable and can be used as a protective coating on gloves, condoms and medical devices.

This technology has been validated in healthcare workers who exhibit mild to moderate contact dermatitis from wearing latex gloves.

Applications:

  • Anti-irritant to be added to genital lubricants to reduce irritation of the vaginal mucosa and minimize the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases
  • Anti-microbial agent for coating gloves or medical equipment without irritation side-effects
  • Research tool for studying of the role of zinc in skin irritations
  • Preservative agent in personal dermatological products such as antibacterial creams, soaps, lotions, first aid treatments, and cosmetics
  • Surface disinfectant in cleaning products
  • Food preservative
  • Non-fragrant versions of the above application

Advantages:

  • Water-soluble zinc salts can be intermixed with numerous currently available compositions
  • Low concentrations of zinc will not interfere with anti-viral, anti-microbial, or anti-fungal agents
  • Use of low concentrations of zinc avoids “zinc toxicity” seen with other compositions
  • Use of low concentrations of zinc limits mucosal irritation
  • Works well with natural antimicrobial compositions, such as essential oils
  • All natural composition allows for applications to veterinary disinfectants and preservatives.
  • Highly stable agent that will maintain effectiveness even when coated on medical equipment

Lead Inventor:

Shanta M. Modak, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Issued (US RE45,435](http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN/RE45435))

Patent Issued (US 8,207,148](http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN/8207148))

Patent Issued (US 7,759,327](http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN/7759327))

Patent Issued (US 7,745,425](http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN/7745425))

Patent Issued (US 7,435,429](http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN/7435429))

Patent Issued (US 7,951,840](http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN/7951840

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