7 April 2020 - - US-based drug delivery, consumer product dispensing and active packaging solutions company AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE: ATR) is seeking US FDA Emergency Use Authorization for a solution that allows easy disinfecting of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 mask), the company said.

The N95 masks are desperately needed by healthcare personnel due to the shortage of disposable masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this simple disinfecting process, the N95 mask and a small strip of Aptar's ActivShieldTM are placed inside any commonly available one-gallon plastic bag. The strip releases a controlled amount of chlorine dioxide inside the sealed bag to decontaminate the N95 mask.

The process takes only three hours until the mask is ready to wear again. It can be performed on-site at the local hospital where the mask is being used.

Aptar has submitted its safety and effectiveness data to the FDA for EUA review.

The company is working to provide approximately 4m ActivShield strips per week and is working to expand its production capacity with the intent to deliver ten m per week by the end of April.

If the FDA approves the EUA, then ActivShield will immediately become available for this important use.

Chlorine dioxide has been widely used as a disinfectant in different industries, including the paper industry, drinking water treatment, food processing, and medical equipment.

Aptar's delivery mechanism uses the disinfecting properties of chlorine dioxide in a controlled sustained release within a contained volume.

This innovative patent pending technology can efficiently and effectively disinfect N95 masks used by healthcare workers and first responders.

Aptar in the design and manufacturing of a broad range of drug delivery, consumer product dispensing and active packaging solutions.

The company is headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois and has 14,000 dedicated employees in 20 countries.