Zentek Ltd. (NASDAQ: ZTEK | TSXV: ZEN), an IP development and commercialization company, has recently achieved a major milestone with their revolutionary product, ZenGUARD™ Technology. As of December 2022, all 54 claims in the company’s Canadian patent application were granted by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). This momentous achievement is an essential step in obtaining global patent protection for ZenGUARD™ Technology.

The result of two years of research and testing by 21 global partners, the  ZenGUARD™ Technology is a cutting-edge nanotechnology based on their graphene-oxide silver compound designed to create an invisible barrier on the surface of the mask.

In order to evaluate the performance of ZenGUARD™ masks compared to standard surgical masks, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Level 3, 3-ply uncoated masks were used as a comparison group. The results showed that the ZenGUARD™ masks had 98.9% more bacterial removal efficiency and 97.8% more virus removal efficiency than standard surgical masks. Furthermore, these results were achieved with minimal added weight or bulkiness to the face masks, meaning they remain comfortable while providing superior protection against bacteria and viruses.

Zentek’s accomplishment of getting a patent for their ZenGUARD™ technology for personal protective equipment and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning applications marks a significant milestone for the company and could set them up for success globally. This accomplishment took just two years from concept to fully protected asset.

CEO Greg Fenton’s leading Zentek highlights their devotion to technology. The dedication to developing the concept and transforming it into a potential revenue-generating asset shows not only the commitment of Mr. Fenton but also Zentek as a whole. They have made great strides in an efficient amount of time and with promising results. This result highlights their capacity to take ideas from the lab bench to the market with patent protection.

With this success comes validation of their business model and a platform from which to extend their rights globally; plans are underway to eventually launch ZenGUARD™ Technology worldwide. Zentek also recently announced they are working with patent attorneys to extend patent protection of commercial rights on a global scale. This collaboration is an exciting example of how two organizations can use their collective knowledge to ensure businesses can maximize their intellectual property rights across international borders.

Patent protection extends beyond copyright and trademark law, making it essential for modern companies to understand worldwide patent regulations in order to capitalize on their innovations. By relying on the expertise of IP counsel, Zentek will likely take full advantage of their rights across the globe.

This achievement not only validates Zentek’s business model but also demonstrates that its product is both effective and marketable on a global scale. The ability to extend patent protection internationally opens many doors of opportunity for the company; they can now capitalize on their existing investments while also exploring new markets that were previously unavailable due to a lack of legal protection or recognition of intellectual property rights outside Canada’s borders. With access to these new markets, there are a number of possibilities ahead for the company—especially when it comes to expanding its customer base and revenue stream potential.

In summary, Zentek Ltd.’s recent achievement of getting a patent for ZenGUARD™ marks an important milestone in the company’s history—one that will potentially lead them down a path toward success both domestically and abroad. With access to new markets made available through patent protection globally, this opens up many opportunities for growth within the industry. As we look forward to 2023, we can continue to look for new developments ahead from Zentek Ltd., especially with regard to its revolutionary product ZenGUARD™ Technology.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, we have seen how the risks of disease transmission have also increased. In response, companies like Zentek Ltd. (NASDAQ: ZTEK | TSXV: ZEN) are leveraging cutting-edge nanotechnology to develop new ways of protecting people from harmful pathogens. It is dedicated to researching and developing new technologies, specifically around nanomaterials. Their graphene-based solutions have the potential to revolutionize many industries beyond healthcare, including electronics, energy storage, water treatment, and more. They have partnered with leading companies in each of these sectors to commercialize their technology.

This need is why Zentek created an antimicrobial coating known as ZenGUARD™, a proprietary graphene-oxide silver compound shown to be highly effective at filtering out bacteria and viruses. The product has been measured to filter 98.9% more bacteria and 97.8% more viruses than standard surgical masks.

Recently, Zentek’s team has been focused on commercializing the patent-pending ZenGUARD™ coating. InvestorIntel’s Tracy Weslosky recently spoke with Zentek CEO and Director Greg Fenton about their current efforts and their recently announced success of its commercialization efforts.

Zentek announced that it has entered into a Reciprocal Supply Agreement on March 31, 2022, with EkoMed Global Inc., an international manufacturer and distributor of personal protective equipment (PPE). In this agreement, Zentek will sell quantities of its coated material to be used initially for surgical masks made by EkoMed and eventually other PPE in the future. Zentek continues to work to expand its network of partnerships and is looking to get FDA approval for ZenGUARD-coated products.

In July Zentek filed a provisional patent on the use of ZenGUARD as an anti-inflammatory agent for dermatological conditions. Further expanding its potential as a dermatological product, it is currently being researched for treatment of various skin conditions, including both infectious and inflammatory conditions like acne, psoriasis, eczema, sunburn, poison ivy, warts, seborrheic dermatitis and toenail fungal infections.

Zentek is also positioned strategically from a supply chain perspective. The Albany Graphite project is located in Northern Ontario, Canada, and they own 100% of the project. The graphene from this source has a combination of graphite purity, particle size, and consistency which could make it ideal for certain solutions. This project could be a significant advantage as Zentek continues to develop graphene-based solutions for various industries.

As the ZenGUARD brand is based on graphene, controlling their own source of graphene can lead to cost and quality control advantages. Their team is also developing surgical masks, HVAC filters, personal protective equipment, rapid detection point of care diagnostics tests, and pharmaceutical products that are all based on graphene-based compounds.

Zentek could have large potential upside if it can capitalize on its technology. They are well positioned to continue growing their business through a combination of strong IP protection, continued innovation, and strategic partnerships. The key will be whether Zentek can continue to expand the market for its ZenGUARD coated products and partner with enough manufacturers to win enough market share in Canada and abroad.

In a recent InvestorIntel interview, Tracy Weslosky speaks with Dr. Francis Dube, Executive Chairman of ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) about ZEN’s recent milestones including the successful inhalation safety testing of the ZENGuard^TM  enhanced surgical masks and the development of a new fuel additive.

In this InvestorIntel interview, which may also be viewed on YouTube (click here to subscribe to the InvestorIntel Channel), Dr. Dube starts by explaining the impact of the ZENGuard^TM  enhanced surgical masks and submission to Health Canada news release. He discusses how their market is with the medical industry and how this demand will only grow.

Equally as interesting to host Tracy was the potential to attract ESG funds with the new fuel additive announcement. Francis explains that ZEN has developed a stable diesel fuel additive, which increased the performance of diesel fuel by up to 10% in initial testing. He states that “If we can make diesel fuel 10-20% better we are going to have a significant impact on the amount of emissions…we think we can make a difference from an environmental standpoint.”

To 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.