Copper-based self-disinfecting paint for hospital surfaces
Official title: Clinical Ecosystem Surfaces for Improved Disinfection Outcomes and the Prevention of HAI Transmission
Funded at Iasis Molecular Sciences, INC · NIH-11361757 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a copper-containing paint additive to make hospital surfaces that kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi to help lower infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iasis Molecular Sciences, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Spokane, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $578,861 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CK000621-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361757 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who spend time in hospitals—especially those in intensive care, long-term care, or with weakened immune systems—would be the most likely to benefit.
✕Less likely to help
People who rarely enter hospitals or whose infections are transmitted primarily person-to-person rather than via surfaces may not see direct benefit.
What this research studies
If I'm a patient, this project aims to coat hospital walls and high-touch surfaces with a new organometallic copper ingredient that can kill germs on contact. The team is scaling up manufacturing of the additive and making liquid and powder paint formulations. They will test those coatings in the lab against bacteria, viruses, and fungi and generate data to support an EPA filing. If hospitals start using the approved paint, it could reduce the germs I might encounter during a stay and lower my chance of getting a healthcare-associated infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lower health care-associated infections by reducing the amount of live germs on hospital surfaces.
How similar studies have gone: Related products using copper surfaces and antimicrobial paints have reduced surface contamination and some hospital studies reported fewer infections, but findings have been mixed and product-specific data are still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Iasis Molecular Sciences, INC
Spokane, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vachon, David John — Iasis Molecular Sciences, INC
- Study coordinator: Vachon, David John
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.