Q+A

IN THIS ISSUE:

ROMAN

Chaloupka

Founder of LAM-X

integrate its technology as it ramps up to larger-scale production. IFN spoke with Chaloupka to discuss the company's plans for the future.

International Filtration News: Could you provide a brief overview of how LAM-X originated?

Roman Chaloupka: If I can start more broadly, we observed that hospitals have a significant problem with patient-acquired infections, also known as secondary infections. Originally, we aimed to address this problem by developing an innovative nanofiber material, which we accomplished. Since this effort was successful, we extended its use to other areas where airborne bacteria can also cause problems. Filtration media was a perfect fit for our solution.

As a PhD in Biophysics and with a brief academic career, I transitioned into startup work. I worked for a significant period at a med-tech startup company before we founded LAM-X. There are several co-founders of the company and as Chief Technology Officer, I have been involved in the development of the technology from the very beginning.

IFN: When was the nanofiber research started, under the LAM-X company umbrella?

Chaloupka: Nanofibers have been at the core of the LAM-X technology since the beginning. We founded LAM-X in 2020 and began working on medical devices. Two years ago, we also began working in the field of filtration. In fact, the company began three weeks before COVID started. So very fine. It was like a big challenge for us.

IFN: What does LAM-X stand for?

Chaloupka: It stands for “light-activated materials,” and the “X” symbolizes nanofibers, which is probably more apparent when we look at the logo than just at the name of the company.

IFN: What brought the issue of secondary hospital infections to light, prompting you to pursue this line of research and development?

Chaloupka: Originally, we had the technology that we knew was excellent for killing bacteria of all kinds. In hospitals, one of the main problems is bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics or multiresistant strains. Because our technology, is universal – meaning that it can kill any bacteria or virus – we worked to prove that it can also kill multi-resistant strains, such as MRSA, and it was successful.

From this initial proof of concept, we started there, and then, step by step, methodically, we are expanding to more applications beyond hospital scenarios. Wherever bacteria are causing a problem, we can develop a solution for our customers to combat the situation.

IFN: Explain the science behind the nanofiber technology.

Chaloupka: Our material is a membrane made of polymer nanofibers. We offer both synthetic and biodegradable versions. Another critical component of the material is a small organic molecule called photosensitizer.

How the antimicrobial function works is a simple three-step process. First, the bacteria or viruses are captured in the dense nanofiber network, just as in any other passive filtration material. And then, in our process, there is a flash of blue visible light, not UV, on the membrane to activate it. The light activates the photosensitizer molecules in the fibers, transforming molecular oxygen into its reactive form, which in turn kills bacteria or viruses captured within the nanofiber network. In short, it’s a safer self-cleaning alternative of a simple, passive barrier filter.

IFN: How did you prove the concept through testing? What kinds of bacteria are utilized in the testing process?

Chaloupka: In general, all products, including filters and medical devices, undergo thorough testing of antimicrobial activity against various types of viruses and bacteria for example E. coli and multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus, both in-house and in accredited laboratories. Therefore, our materials are tested according to international standards, including – but not limited to – ISO 2743 for the antibacterial activity of both gramnegative and gram-positive bacteria, ISO 18184 for antiviral activity, and ISO 22612 for bacterial penetration.

IFN: What is your vision for this innovation, and how might it impact the marketplace?

Chaloupka: LAM-X technology operates in a critical space of filtration due to its antimicrobial component. This will likely have a great impact in ultrafiltration market, where filtration is typically combined with antimicrobial solutions. We are able to merge several systems into one single step reducing space needs, saving electricity and reducing the cost associated to biofilm. Thanks to our efforts, combined with partnerships with major players in the field, the technology will gradually penetrate different areas of the filtration market.

IFN: What kinds of companies are you working with?

Chaloupka: Currently, we are in the B2B space. I’m confident that due to these partnerships with important players in the field, the LAM-X technology is on track to penetrate different areas of the filtration market as we continue to attract the industries top filtration companies. We are still at the development stage with one partner in the field of ultrapure water preparation, and are in negotiations with one of the top three players in the filtration market. We are seeking other partners willing to innovate in water filtration and air filtration, we also see opportunities for growth and implementation of our technology also in other domains in the future.

IFN: What other markets are you seeking partnerships?

Chaloupka: We are currently developing solutions for ultrafiltration for water and beverage industries, but, of course, there are other applicable categories such as food, gas and liquids, and even domains such as crop protection.

IFN: Your slogan is, “Our solution solves your problems without creating new ones.” What does that mean to you?

Chaloupka: Well, in the world of antimicrobial solutions, introducing new solution to the market should be done, in my opinion, with extreme care because of the resistance against antibiotics and disinfectants. The solution to the problem of bacterial contamination can have unintended, negative repercussions. Our material releases neither heavy metals nor toxic chemicals and can capture and kill any bacteria, including those that are resistant, which are the most dangerous. We know that it does not induce any resistance to this treatment. It is a solution for the future.

We are seeking other partners willing to innovate. Although we are now entirely focused on water filtration and air filtration, we see opportunities for growth and implementation of our technology in other domains in the future.

IFN: Your product description includes biodegradable. Please elaborate on this.

Chaloupka: Well, we have both versions. In certain circumstances, a synthetic version is necessary. However, we also have an environmentally friendly membrane made of biodegradable polymers which is in line with our principles as a company. We have come far in equating the quality of biodegradable to synthetic nanofibers and we are proud of the quality of our membranes.

IFN: Can you elaborate on the markets that you best succeed in the industry?

Chaloupka: Currently, we would like to give focus to ultrafiltration, to succeed and lead. It’s better to focus, and filtration is a significantly large marketplace. Yet we have a platform technology which can play a role in every application where the bacteria can cause a problem.

IFN: Where do you think your company will be in five years?

Chaloupka: I see LAM-X technology as an integral part of standard solutions in the filtration industry, and I hope that by working with the major players in the field, we are already on our way to this goal.

Our confidence in our technology comes from hearing time and time again that our unique selling point is resonating with the problems of that our partners have battling bacteria. Accumulating bacteria in filters is not aggressively being addressed by current solution providers. Our technology eliminates bacteria in such an effective way that it prevents the onset of clogging bacteria and the formation of biofilm, one of the biggest advantages of LAM-X.

Biodegradability also plays an important role. If I can empathize with our safety profile in the fact that the material originally met all the regulatory criteria for medical devices, which are very strict, it provides confidence in the higher safety profile LAM-X offers.

With our current focus on water filtration and now entering the air filtration market, the market is sufficiently large to ensure that our solution can be integrated into many different sub-sectors soon. We will continue to work towards multimarket applications as we grow our success in specific marketplaces.

By Philippe Wijns Principal at CleverSustainability, Filtration Expert and Sustainable Business Development Advisor