New Study from MSU Research Foundation Portfolio Company, UV Angel Technologies, Demonstrates Advancements in Indoor Air Quality

Study conducted by UV Angel Technologies, published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, demonstrates the effectiveness of germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) devices in significantly improving indoor air quality.

EAST LANSING, MI — UV Angel Technologies, a Michigan State University Research Foundation portfolio company, has conducted a study (Linda D. Lee, 2023) published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (Cambridge University Press). The study concludes that active upper room germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) devices can significantly reduce surface and air bacteria.

Conducted in collaboration with the burn unit at Trinity Health Loyola Medical Center near Chicago, the study sheds light on the limitations of traditional ventilation systems. It emphasizes the necessity of implementing active upper-room GUV technology for enhanced safety and improved air quality.

“The burn unit study focused on a patient area of concern for the clinical staff at Loyola,” said Dr. Linda Lee, Chief Medical and Science Officer at UV Angel, which funded the study. “Our findings demonstrate that relying solely on conventional ventilation systems may not be sufficient, especially in areas with a high-density of people, high-risk patient populations, or high-contamination areas.”

The study examined the effectiveness of traditional ventilation systems and their limitations in reducing contamination in the patient rooms due to routine patient care activities. The work revealed a significant gap between the delivery of clean air from HVAC units and the actual environmental conditions. Results indicated a notable reduction in viable bacterial contamination in the air, from 395 CFU/m3 to 37 CFU/m3, constituting an 89 percent reduction in airborne bacteria and resulting in significant improvement in indoor air quality (IAQ).

“This emphasizes the benefit of supplemental air cleaning systems, such as active upper-room GUV Technology,” said Paul Byrne, Chief Product Officer, at UV Angel.” The study’s results continue to add to our significant body of scientific evidence supporting our mission to implement life-changing technologies that protect our healthcare workers, patients, and families. The study validates our belief that our products are making a difference in people’s lives.”

Prompted by concerns over healthcare-acquired infections, the study centered on Loyola Medical Center’s ICU Burn Unit. It examined the air and the potential transmission pathways. Despite current building air quality standards like ASHRAE 170, the hospital reported that these benchmarks are insufficient for reducing the bacterial loading in individual patient rooms.

The MSU Research Foundation has made investments in UV Angel in 2022 and 2023, through its Red Cedar Ventures and Michigan Rise Pre-Seed III venture funds.

“UV Angel has significantly advanced safety standards for public health and prevention,” said Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Red Cedar Ventures at the MSU Research Foundation. “We’re excited to see the progress in bringing this technology to the medical community here in Michigan.”

Two major health systems have been given state funding to implement the UV Angel Technologies platform in their Michigan hospitals.

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About the Michigan State University Research Foundation

The Michigan State University Research Foundation was established in 1973 as an independent nonprofit committed to the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies invented by MSU faculty, staff, and students. Today, the MSU Research Foundation is focused on enhancing research, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, and facilitating economic growth at MSU and across the state through its subsidiary organizations—Spartan Innovations, Red Cedar Ventures, and Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III—and its Research Parks.