How often do you find yourself with subtle post pandemic habits, like pushing doors open with your elbow or forearm, or perhaps you pull your jacket sleeve down over your hand to pull open a door handle? Basically, you are trying to avoid public touch points that have the potential to carry some sort of germs or bugs or other nasties that you’d rather not have on your hands. Things can be even worse in places like hospitals where viruses are an ordinary part of daily life and you can potentially cross paths with some really nasty, antibiotic resistant pathogens. But before I scare you into being afraid to leave the house, have faith that help is on the way.

That help is coming from a company called FendX Technologies Inc. (CSE: FNDX | OTCQB: FDXTF), a Canadian-based nanotechnology company focused on developing products to make people’s lives safer by reducing the spread of pathogens. The Company is developing both film and spray products to protect surfaces from contamination. The lead product under development, REPELWRAP™ film, is a protective surface coating film that, due to its repelling properties, prevents the adhesion of pathogens and reduces their transmission on surfaces prone to contamination. The spray nanotechnology is a bifunctional spray coating being developed to reduce contamination on surfaces by repelling and killing pathogens.

REPELWRAP™ film is the Company’s first product under development and is a protective surface coating film that leverages the Company’s award-winning nanotechnology. REPELWRAP™ film has demonstrated unique repelling properties that prevent the adhesion of pathogens, bacteria, and viruses, reducing their transmission on surfaces prone to contamination. This technology works by combining hierarchical wrinkled molecular structure with chemical functionalization to reduce pathogen adhesion and biofilm formation. When a contaminated hand touches the surface of REPELWRAP™ film, the contamination stays on the contaminated hand and does not transfer to the surface, so no more need for using elbows or sleeves.

FendX believes this technology will be important to control the spread of pathogens on surfaces that are prone to contamination. Research and development results, as published in several journals to date, have shown the original prototype of the film and the early-stage spray formulation to be effective in repelling and preventing biofilm formation of World Health Organization-designated priority pathogens such as Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Gram-negative Pseudomonas and Enterococci strains, as well as being effective in repelling SARS-CoV-2 related viruses. The product is flexible and can be applied to most surface shapes.  The Company believes REPELWRAP™ film will have applications in healthcare settings and several other industries such as transportation, schools, and sporting facilities.

On the road to commercialization of REPELWRAP™, FendX Technologies Inc. recently announced it had successfully completed the initial development phase with Dunmore International Corp., a global manufacturer of engineered coated and laminated films and foils. As part of the agreement, Dunmore successfully adapted FendX’s lab prototype formulation for making REPELWRAP™ film to its manufacturing production processes. Tests confirmed that the films produced by Dunmore exhibited similar repelling properties to the original lab prototype, leading to the next phase of development, where Dunmore will conduct small production runs on their commercial manufacturing line to create intermediate-sized films for further testing. Automating the manufacturing process for REPELWRAP™ film is a crucial step towards its eventual commercialization.

Along with REPELWRAP™, FendX is developing a spray formulation, licensed on May 16, 2023, which has demonstrated both repelling and pathogen-killing properties. The bifunctional coating uses wrinkled polydimethylsiloxane microparticles decorated with biocidal gold nanoparticles to achieve these effects. Lab testing showed significant reductions in pathogen adhesion and transfer on coated surfaces compared to uncoated ones, with a 99.98% reduction in colony forming units of MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on nano-coated surfaces. Development work began in June 2023 to assess and advance the formulation for initial scale-up testing and creating intermediate prototypes for further evaluation.

The Company expects to launch REPELWRAP™ film in the Canadian market in the first half of 2024. Management believes that the Company’s current level of cash will be sufficient to execute its current planned expenditures for the next 12 months without the need for further financing. This suggests that if everything goes according to plan, there’s an outside chance FendX could be starting to see revenue before they need to raise capital again. Whether that occurs or not, it’s a safe bet that this time next year investors will have a very good picture of what the potential for this Company could be.

FendX Technologies trades at a market cap of C$13.4 million.

A Canadian company and their laboratory partner have developed a low cost simple and much faster way to better detect pathogens causing infections in our bodies. In recent weeks the team found a way to dramatically improve the effectiveness of this technology, which is really a medical breakthrough you won’t likely see on the news, at least not just yet. Their technology uses ‘aptamer’ based diagnostics from a simple saliva test.

What is an aptamer?

Aptamers are short sequences of artificial DNA, RNA, XNA, or peptide that bind a specific target molecule or family of target molecules. In the case of today’s company, they are using single-stranded DNA molecules capable of binding specifically with target proteins on the surface of pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 to detect if a person has COVID-19 or potentially other pathogens.

Zentek Ltd.

Zentek Ltd. (NASDAQ: ZTEK | TSXV: ZEN) (“Zentek”) is a certified graphene technology company focused on the research, development and commercialization of graphene-based novel products, typically using nanotechnology.

Zentek’s aptamer-enabled Pathogen Detection Technology is a low-cost, rapid, saliva testing, scalable technology initially to be used for COVID-19 testing, but can be adapted to detect other pathogens. Zentek has exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize their COVID-19 antigen testing aptamer-enabled technology. The technology is being developed by Zentek and their technology partners at McMaster University Li Lab, led by Dr. Yingfu Li.

Zentek’s collaboration with McMaster University extends beyond its exclusive license and now encompasses all aptamer and DNAzyme uses, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and neutralization agents, not limited solely to SARS-CoV-2 applications.

Aptamer technology breakthrough, up to 250 times increase

Zentek recently announced a breakthrough in the team’s aptamer-enabled technology, stating:

“Dr. Yingfu Li and his team at the Li Lab have developed a novel aptamer technology that increases the binding affinity of aptamers by up to 250 times. The increased binding affinity enhances the limits of detection for aptamer-based diagnostics. In addition, the enhanced binding affinity may lead to the successful adaptation of these same aptamers for new therapeutic and prophylactic treatments. Binding affinity is a key metric in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.”

Understandably most people will not understand the implications of what is going on here, so I will spell it out. Effective Aptamer-based pathogen technology opens up a whole new potential to ‘rapidly and cheaply’ detect pathogens. In time this can be expanded to potentially detect other markers of disease in the body. Furthermore, it has the potential to more effectively treat diseases. But that’s the next chapter, best discussed another time and assuming Zentek continues down that pathway.

Dr. Yingfu Li recently stated:

“The novel aptamer technology platform developed in my lab at McMaster University is demonstrating a robust increase in binding affinity to every aptamer we have tried so far. Combining this technology with aptamers that have high specificity has created a very exciting potential for new therapeutics and diagnostics. The enhanced binding affinity from these new aptamers has led to consistent and successful in vitro testing in my lab and the lab of Dr. Leyla Soleymani for diagnostic applications, and more recently, with in vivo testing in the lab of Dr. Matthew Miller for therapeutic applications. These early results are very exciting, and we look forward to future work that applies the technology to other potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets.”

Note: Bold emphasis by the author.

The advantages of Zentek’s aptamer technology for detecting Covid-19 or potentially other pathogens

Source: Zentek website

The potential for aptamer-based disease detection is truly remarkable. There is also potential one day that aptamers can be used to much more precisely target disease treatment or prevention in the body.

Greg Fenton, CEO of Zentek commented:

“Initially, we were working to develop aptamers for diagnostic purposes……Dr Li’s initial breakthrough was important for diagnostic purposes, and now early testing points to the potential to create new therapeutics and prophylactics. I can’t emphasize enough how unexpected these results were to our team and how significant this development is if it is confirmed through future testing.”

For more details, investors can watch the recent Zentek CEO interview here.

Zentek is now at the stage of commercializing their aptamer-enabled technology stating that they are “commercial prototyping readiness, and working with Halteres Associates, a world-leading bioscience consultancy, to assist us in our commercialization process.“

Zentek’s product pipeline

Source: Zentek company presentation

Closing remarks

There is no more exciting company than Zentek. Apart from their aptamer technology Zentek has many other applications for their graphene nanotechnology including: ZENGuard™ (a graphene coating applied to PPE to prevent Covid and other infections; also used for air filtration (HVAC) systems), icephobics (to prevent ice build up on planes etc), ZENArmor (corrosion resistance), fuel additives (helping reduce carbon emissions), Graphene-wrapped silicon anodes, conductive inks, intumescent coatings, and anti-inflammatory therapies.

Furthermore, Zentek makes their own graphene oxide at their Guelph facility and owns the Albany Graphite Deposit (planned to be spun out).

Zentek Ltd. trades on a market cap of C$216 million. With commercialization of ZENGuard™ underway and Zentek’s aptamer technology potentially to follow soon, Zentek is at a great stage to rapidly grow from here. Stay tuned in 2023 to see how Zentek performs and if they can successfully start to monetize their technology.

In a recent interview conducted by Tracy Weslosky of InvestorIntel, Greg Fenton, the CEO & Director of Zentek Ltd. (NASDAQ: ZTEK | TSXV: ZEN), unveiled some thrilling developments surrounding the company’s revolutionary aptamer platform. With an exclusive global license from McMaster University, this groundbreaking platform has demonstrated remarkable success in pre-clinical animal model tests as a potential prophylactic or therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Spearheaded by Dr. Yingfu Li’s team at McMaster, this platform harnesses a series of synthetic molecules known as aptamers, exhibiting a high affinity for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

During the pre-clinical trials, groups of mice were treated with either the aptamer developed by Dr. Li’s team or a commercial monoclonal antibody before exposure to SARS-CoV-2. The outcomes were nothing short of impressive. Mice treated with the aptamer displayed minimal weight loss and showed no detectable viral burden in their lungs, while the control group experienced significant weight loss and a high lung viral load. Notably, the aptamers showcased efficacy on par with commercial monoclonal antibodies, effectively neutralizing the virus both in vitro and in vivo.

According to Greg, Dr. Li envisions the aptamer platform going beyond the treatment and prevention of current SARS-CoV-2 variants. The platform holds the potential to be a game-changer in the ongoing battle against COVID-19, even as new variants continue to emerge worldwide. This could mark a significant step forward in combatting the ever-evolving nature of the virus.

In the interview, Greg explains how aptamers have been proven to possess a favorable safety profile, as they are constructed from synthetic single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules using the same building blocks as human DNA or RNA. Greg Fenton expressed that the pre-clinical test results exceeded expectations, and the encouraging safety profile of aptamer-based therapeutics might accelerate the path to commercialization. This offers hope for faster and safer development of potential treatments and preventatives for COVID-19.

Zentek’s collaboration with McMaster University extends beyond its exclusive license, now encompassing all aptamer and DNAzyme uses, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and neutralization agents, not limited solely to SARS-CoV-2 applications. This expansion hints at the broader potential of the aptamer platform in addressing various medical challenges beyond COVID-19, promising exciting developments in the medical field.

Following these promising pre-clinical results, Zentek is actively working on formulating a comprehensive pre-clinical plan to develop a COVID-19 therapeutic or prophylactic based on Dr. Li’s aptamers. This represents a significant stride forward in the potential treatment and prevention of COVID-19, offering hope for effective solutions in the ongoing pandemic.

The collaborative effort between Zentek and McMaster University has led to a game-changing aptamer platform demonstrating impressive efficacy in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 during pre-clinical trials. With the potential to serve as a therapeutic or prophylactic for COVID-19 and future variants, the aptamers shine a ray of hope in the global fight against the pandemic. The expanded license agreement opens doors for innovative applications in diagnostics and therapeutics, opening up possibilities for further advancements in medical science.

However, it is crucial to note that Zentek maintains caution and does not claim to have a product that can entirely eliminate, cure, or contain COVID-19 at this stage. Nevertheless, the progress achieved so far signifies a positive step in the race to combat this global health crisis. As further developments unfold, the world eagerly awaits the potential impact of Zentek’s aptamer platform in transforming the landscape of COVID-19 treatment and prevention. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as this remarkable journey continues to unfold.

To access the full InvestorIntel interview, click here

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About Zentek Ltd.

Zentek is an ISO 13485:2016 certified graphene technology company focused on the research, development and commercialization of graphene-based novel products seeking to give the Company’s commercial partners a competitive advantage by making their products better, safer, and greener.

Zentek’s patented technology platform ZenGUARD™, is shown to have 99% anti-microbial activity and to significantly increase the bacterial and viral filtration efficiency of both surgical masks and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. Zentek’s ZenGUARD™ production facility is located in Guelph, Ontario. Zentek’s patent pending ZenARMOR™ technology platform is focused on corrosion protection applications.

To know more about Zentek Ltd., click here

Disclaimer: Zentek Ltd. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].

In a recent InvestorIntel interview, Tracy Weslosky spoke with Greg Fenton, CEO and Director of Zentek Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) about Zentek’s recent news release on receiving approval to list on the Nasdaq and about engaging Vimta Labs to begin studies of ZenGUARD™ active ingredient as a potential treatment of infectious skin disease.

In this InvestorIntel interview, which may also be viewed on YouTube (click here to subscribe to the InvestorIntel Channel), Greg Fenton provided an update on Zentek’s “unique and innovative” ZenGUARD™ antimicrobial coating which is “proven to be more than 99% effective in reducing the physical spread of the SARS-CoV-2” and other pathogens. He went on to say that Zentek will be publishing the patent application for the ZenGUARD™ antimicrobial coating on March 21, 2022.

To watch the full interview, click here.

About Zentek Ltd.

Zentek is an IP development and commercialization company focused on next-gen healthcare solutions in the areas of prevention, detection and treatment. Zentek is currently focused on commercializing ZenGUARD™, a patent-pending coating shown to have 99% effectiveness in antimicrobial activity reduction, including against the COVID-19 pathogens, and the potential to use similar compounds as products against other infectious diseases. The Company also has an exclusive agreement to be the global commercializing partner for a newly developed rapid aptamer-based pathogen detection technology.

To learn more about Zentek Ltd., click here.

Disclaimer: Zentek Ltd. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].

I’m hopeful that we will soon see this whole COVID issue become an endemic as opposed to a pandemic, and life as we know it, can return to something a lot more like it was before this annoying virus became the bane of our existence. Whether continued mutation of the virus allows us to get on with life or not, we need to be better prepared for the future, so we can get a handle on things sooner and keep the economy rolling, keep the kids in school and get rid of this whole division of society over masking and vaccinations. I’ve suggested in past articles that, in my opinion, effective, reliable rapid testing could go a long way to resolving this, and any potential future viruses that come along. However, after getting my hands on the current generation of rapid tests and using them a few times to visit family and friends over the Holiday Season, I find it necessary to add one more descriptor – convenient. I actually stopped going out because the thought of jamming that swab up my nose again brings tears to my eyes and a bit of a queasy feeling.

But what if I told you there is a company out there that is on its way to developing a rapid breathalyzer test that can identify COVID and potentially many other viruses. I know it has certainly caught my attention. Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. (CSE: SIXW | OTCQB: SIXWF) utilizes unique applications of nanotechnology called Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) for imprinting, capturing, and releasing substances at the molecular level. The technology has applications in multiple areas with a current focus on the recovery of gold, explosives detection, metabolite extraction and medical diagnostics for viruses. Sixth Wave can design, develop and commercialize MIP solutions across a broad spectrum of industries. The company is focused on nanotechnology architectures that are highly relevant for the detection and separation of viruses, biogenic amines, and other pathogens, for which the Company has products at various stages of development.

I’ll try to briefly explain how this works without getting into too many hard-core science details given it’s mostly over my head. Viruses have unique chemical profiles that result in different shape, size, and surface chemistry characteristics. Sixth Wave designs polymerizable ligands specifically to take advantage of the size, shape and surface chemistry of a target virus or target class of virus to achieve selectivity and sensitivity in diagnostic applications.

Source: Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. Corporate Presentation

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I suspect the diagram above would be a lot more than that if I could properly explain it. My simple analogy is that you build a puzzle with one specific piece missing and the only puzzle piece that will fit in that spot is the COVID-19 virus (or whatever virus or family of viruses you selected to fit your polymer puzzle). If you have the correct piece of the puzzle, it will indicate a positive result. If that doesn’t make sense to you then you can go to the Company’s website and do some more digging on your own because that’s the best I’ve got.

Beyond the science, here is where Sixth Wave currently stands in its mission to stem the tide of emerging outbreaks quickly in order to prevent worldwide pandemics in the future. On December 14^th the Company announced it had successfully demonstrated selective binding and detection of live SARS-CoV-2 virus in saliva samples using its patent-pending Accelerated Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (AMIPs™) technology. The next and final stage of laboratory-based development is to expand testing to a standardized panel of respiratory viruses to confirm that there is no cross-reactivity (or false positives as near as I can tell). Completion of the cross-reactivity testing is the last scientific development step required to produce specificity data before the Company can begin the process of applying for regulatory approval from government agencies such as the U.S.’s FDA and Health Canada.

Sixth Wave’s technology overcomes problems that impact current methods to test for COVID-19 that require using biological materials (antibodies) to detect the virus. PCR, Polymerase Chain Reaction, tests are expensive, generally require unpleasant nasal swabs, and rely on laboratory analysis to return results, and as we’ve seen of late this has completely overwhelmed the system resulting in several days to get results. Rapid antigen tests are faster but significantly less accurate, are also somewhat unpleasant (at least to me) and diminish in effectiveness as the virus mutates. Compare that to a handheld breathalyzer that could be used multiple times by the same user for easier, less expensive, less wasteful testing. Sixth Wave envisions its unit would have a disposable biosensor (cartridge) that is simply replaced upon a positive detection or after a predetermined sampling time if there is no positive detection.

Personally, I really hope that Sixth Wave can get this technology to the finish line as I think it would be a great benefit to society as a whole. Then there’s the potential impact on the share price if they are the ones to come up with the de facto, go-to gadget for simple, convenient and inexpensive virus testing. With a current market cap of C$27 million and trading almost at its all-time low share price, this could be quite the game-changer for Sixth Wave Innovations.

In a recent InvestorIntel interview, Tracy Weslosky speaks with Greg Fenton, CEO and Director of ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) about ZEN’s exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize rapid, saliva-based COVID-19 antigen testing technology announced yesterday

In this InvestorIntel interview, which may also be viewed on YouTube (click here to subscribe to the InvestorIntel Channel), Greg went on to say that this saliva-based test is exceptionally accurate, similar to current PCR tests, and will “revolutionize the way testing is done”. Affordable, easy to use, scalable and provides results in under 10 minutes, Greg comments that this technology has the ability “to allow economies to reopen.” Tracy then asks the critical question with “will you be able to test for anything?”

To find out — watch the full interview, click here

About ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd.

ZEN is a next-gen nanomaterials technology company developing and commercializing technologies that help protect people and the environment. ZEN is currently focused on commercializing ZEN Guard ^TM , a patent pending graphene-based coating with 99% antimicrobial activity, including against COVID-19, and the potential to use similar graphene compounds as pharmaceutical products against infectious diseases. The company has a significant R&D pipeline with an interest in monomers, polymers, metal alloys, corrosion coatings, biosensors along with the production of graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots. Additionally, the company owns the unique Albany Graphite Project which provides the company with a potential competitive advantage in the graphene market. Labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA, and Canada have independently demonstrated that ZEN’s Albany Pure ^TM Graphite is an ideal precursor material that easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene, using a variety of mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical methods.

To learn more about ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd., click here

Disclaimer: ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp. (IIC) does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken,  as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on www.Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please email [email protected].

In what seems like a miracle company Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. (CSE: SIXW | OTCQB: ATURF) (“Sixth Wave”) has the technology to detect and/or extract any number of substances as widespread as SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), cannabinoids, gold or lithium. The applications for this technology are potentially enormous.

Sixth Wave is a nanotechnology company with patented technologies that focus on extraction and detection of target substances at the molecular level using highly specialized Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs).

Sixth Wave’s MIPs can detect COVID-19

On April 14 Sixth Wave announced that they were now able to demonstrate colorimetric detection of SARS-CoV-2 utilizing Accelerated Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (AMIPs). The images below best show how it works.

The image on the left shows the AMIPs™ polymer having been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) with the fluorescent highlights indicating the presence of the virus (positive). The image on the right shows the AMIPs™ polymer having been exposed to a non-infected sample (negative)

Source

Sixth Wave MIPs are also used in cannabis extraction and processing. In April 2021 Sixth Wave entered a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Halucenex Life Sciences Inc. for the separation of compounds such as psilocybin, baeocystin, and others using MIPs used in Sixth Wave’s Affinity™ cannabinoid purification system.

Sixth Wave’s Affinity™ cannabinoid extraction technology for the cannabis industry

Source: Sixth Wave Innovation website

Sixth Wave’s technology gaining traction in the extraction of valuable minerals such as gold from mine tailings

On May 18 Sixth Wave announced that it has executed a non-binding LOI to test their patented IXOS® purification and extraction polymer on gold bearing tailings samples from the Barry-Hollinger Gold Mine (BHGM) in Eastern Ontario. It is estimated there are approximately 200,000 tons of tailings on the property which have been indicated to contain up to 16,000 ounces of gold. Sixth Wave will perform a combination of leaching and recovery tests, expected to start in June 2021. Sixth Wave state: “The tailings test protocol could form the foundation for a business model that seeks to identify and recover gold from tailings at other mine sites in the Ontario mining district and throughout the world.”

Sixth Wave’s IXOS extraction technology for the gold mining industry and others

Source: Sixth Wave Innovation website

Sixth Wave’s technology for the extraction of lithium from geothermal brines

In April, Sixth Wave announced the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding common shares of Geolithic Corp. Sixth Wave stated: “Geolithic was established in January of 2017 as a joint venture between TriLateral and Sixth Wave to exploit the latter’s technology for the extraction of lithium from geothermal brines located primarily in the Salton Sea area of California. The Salton brines are renowned for their elevated levels of lithium and represent one of the largest untapped sources of lithium in the world.” This move by Sixth Wave to acquire 100% of Geolithic reflects Sixth Wave’s confidence in both the technology and the opportunity. With lithium demand set to surge 10-11x this decade I certainly see this as a wise strategic move.

Closing remarks

Referring to their nanotechnology, Sixth Wave say they have “the smallest solutions to the world’s largest problem”. That certainly seems very true given their nanotechnology has proven effective at detecting COVID-19.

Whilst it is still very early stages for Sixth Wave Innovation on a market cap of just C$33 million the potential for this small company is indeed large. If they can go on to successfully commercializing their miracle technology in either of the health or mining sectors then I would expect Sixth Wave would potentially get a whole lot bigger. Stay tuned to this very exciting company in 2021.

In a recent InvestorIntel interview, Tracy Weslosky spoke with Dr. Jon Gluckman, President, CEO and Founder of Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. (CSE: SIXW | OTCQB: ATURF) about the successful demonstration of colorimetric detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 utilizing Sixth Wave’s Accelerated Molecular Imprinted Polymers (“AMIPs™”) technology.

In this InvestorIntel interview, which may also be viewed on YouTube (click here to subscribe to the InvestorIntel Channel), Dr. Gluckman went on to say that colorimetric detection is a method of identifying the presence of a target substance within a test sample by means of a color reagent. He added that the Company is evaluating the detection capabilities of the technology for all the active strains of SARS-CoV-2. Dr. Gluckman also provided an update on Sixth Wave’s letter of intent with Halucenex Life Sciences Inc. to explore a collaboration for the separation of compounds such as psilocybin, baeocystin, and others using molecularly imprinted polymers.

To watch the full interview, click here

About Sixth Wave Innovations Inc.

Sixth Wave is a nanotechnology company with patented technologies that focus on extraction and detection of target substances at the molecular level using highly specialized Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs). The Company is in the process of a commercial rollout of its Affinity™ cannabinoid purification system, as well as, IXOS®, a line of extraction polymers for the gold mining industry. The Company is in the development stages of a rapid diagnostic test for viruses under the Accelerated MIPs (AMIPs™) label.

Sixth Wave can design, develop and commercialize MIP solutions across a broad spectrum of industries. The company is focused on nanotechnology architectures that are highly relevant for the detection and separation of viruses, biogenic amines, and other pathogens, for which the Company has products at various stages of development.

To learn more about Sixth Wave Innovations Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp. (IIC) does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete. 

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken,  as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on www.Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please email [email protected].

Despite a recent setback in perception ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) continues to power ahead with the stock up an impressive 30% in the last two weeks. Readers may recall a Health Canada announcement on April 2nd announcing a warning about face masks containing graphene or biomass graphene. This was a perfect springboard for ZEN Graphene to differentiate themselves from the competition and prove the superiority of their product. Health Canada warned, “There is a potential that wearers could inhale graphene particles from some masks, which may pose health risks.” Not surprisingly, ZEN’s stock price gapped down in trading that day on above average volume as investors threw the proverbial baby out with the bath water.

Investors (with a reasonable level of risk tolerance) who’ve done their homework on ZEN Graphene would have recognized this as a buying opportunity. Why? Not all graphene face masks are created equal. ZEN actually came out in support of the Health Canada measure, stating it is aligned and supportive of the steps taken to regulate the use of graphene and remove products that are unsafe for the public. Their confidence is based on the fact that Nucro-Technics (a world-renowned testing facility) has performed extensive testing for cytotoxicity, irritation and skin sensitization and shown that ZEN’s product is safe. As well, the company’s partner in the face masks, Trebor Rx Corp., has also completed considerable testing on the masks and has successfully passed Canadian requirements as a level 1 Medical Device for ASTM Level 1, 2 and recently, level 3, the highest level for surgical masks. Finally, additional information requested by Health Canada following the April 2 advisory has been submitted by ZEN and Trebor and it is expected the current review will be concluded in an expedited manner.

During this whole process, the company was still able to complete an oversubscribed private placement that started at $2 million and ultimately raised $4.3 million. It would appear at least some investors aren’t overly concerned about the Health Canada warning. So if readers are now reasonably confident that the Health Canada warning is in the rear view mirror and unlikely to negatively impact ZEN Graphene, then why would you as an investor want to dig deeper into being a ZEN Graphene shareholder?

Results and upside of course. On March 29^th InvestorIntel’s Matthew Bohlsen wrote about the successful testing of ZEN’s graphene compound against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (including SARS-CoV-2) as well as the above noted cytotoxicity tests and Health Canada mask approval. He also addressed ZEN’s plans to expand current capacity to supply the demand from Trebor Rx from 4 million coated disposable masks per month to 32 million per month by June and further to 800 million masks per month by November. That is actual demand today that the company has realistic plans to achieve. If that isn’t upside enough, then all you have to do is look at the product pipeline which includes exam and single-use gloves, as well as the air filtration market.

I can bombard you with plenty of large numbers here that paint a picture of incredible upside but I’ll simply highlight a few key points and let you do your own homework. First off, all the products in the current pipeline are disposable, mostly single use. Second, Covid-19 has brought attention to the whole PPE market but for the products ZEN Graphene is looking to provide, demand won’t go away once the virus has been brought under control (whatever that looks like). Lastly, the large numbers are very large for global PPE like masks and gloves.

However, the proof is ultimately in the bottom line. The company has set out a plan to start generating revenue (of which it had none as at Dec 31, 2020) and reasonable, timely growth plans. They currently have over $5 million of cash and current burn rate of roughly $2 million per quarter depending on the incremental costs to build out mask production capacity. It’s hard to compete with the support and confidence shown by the team at ZEN Graphene during the Health Canada issues. If their product is really that good it should start to show up on the bottom line sooner than later.

Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. (CSE: SIXW | OTCQB: ATURF) is a nanotechnology company focused on extraction and detection of target substances at the molecular level. Their products can be very cost effective and potentially eliminate human error from the testing or measurement process. These advantages are derived from the application of patented technologies in the highly specialized field of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs).

Sounds pretty technical so what does that mean to you and me? As we battle a third wave of COVID-19 we are crossing our fingers and hoping vaccines will save the day. Especially given, that for all the talk about rapid testing, we have yet to see an effective, accurate test used in a broad setting to help identify or track the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. And who knows if all the variants that are popping up will continue to be effectively subdued by existing vaccines.

Enter Sixth Wave and their patent pending Accelerated Molecular Imprinted Polymers (AMIPs™) technology. Last week the company announced it has successfully demonstrated colorimetric detection of SARS-CoV-2. Colorimetric detection is a method of identifying the presence of a target substance within a test sample by means of color. For example, Green = COVID-19, Blue = Influenza, Red = Rhinovirus. And yes, the test could potentially identify multiple viruses in a single pass with different colors for each. Even better, the AMIPs™ test does not require the use of biological materials which have the potential to result in errors (false positive or false negative). As well, the methodology utilized by AMIPs™ should be more robust in its ability to detect variants because the mechanism used to capture and immobilize the virus is not keyed to a specific Antigen-Antibody relationship. Lastly, this robust, reliable product should result in a lower cost, either to an individual requiring a test or a government trying to get a handle on this annoyingly resilient virus.

Imagine kids going back to school and they all have a mask utilizing Sixth Wave technology. All you need to do is check each student’s mask and if it’s green the child gets sent home otherwise they are good to go until the next day. Now what if everyone had a mask, or some other device with AMIPs™ technology, then everyone could get back to going to sporting events, concerts or weddings. Even air travel and cruise ships would be able to operate relatively seamlessly based on the individual not being green, so to speak. This could be the solution that gets us back to a semblance of normal.

Unfortunately, as good as this all sounds, Sixth Wave isn’t the answer to all our problems just yet. Next steps include building on this initial validation toward the development of a colorimetric sensor for a potentially wide range of rapid Virus detection devices using AMIPs™. As well, the Company is proposing to create a comprehensive library of molecular imprints for other viral pathogens and variants. This AMIP library will be capable of being licensed for all manner of rapid detection test (RDT) devices and wearables, such as a smart mask, smart clothing and PPE applications, airborne sensors, Breathalyzers, and others. The groundwork has been laid but it remains to be seen if the company can capitalize on its efforts.

Nevertheless, the company has its Affinity™ System which uses MIPs to deliver an innovative purification solution to the cannabis market. First revenue from cannabinoid extraction is expected in Q1/21. As well there is the IXOS product, a line of extraction polymers formulated for deployment in the gold mining industry for the extraction of gold from cyanide leach solutions. Sixth Wave is undertaking pilot plant testing of IXOS technology at a major gold producer (Kinross Gold Corporation). The company recently raised $6M via a private placement which should give them enough cash to continue developing and innovating its product base for another 6 months, give or take. It will be interesting to see if the company can start generating revenue to reduce the cash burn and advance all these exciting prospects.