13 November 2020 - - US-based silicon nitride ceramic manufacturer SINTX Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SINT) and Japan-based Iwatani Corp.'s Iwatani Corp. of America subsidiary have entered into a joint development agreement, the companies said.

The goal of this agreement is to incorporate SINTX AP2 silicon nitride powder into polymer materials.

These materials will become safe and effective surfaces for IT devices such as cases for cell phones and tablets that are touched frequently.

SINTX and Iwatani aim to create surfaces that resist bacteria and viruses.

The development of these products may help prevent and reduce the spread of respiratory diseases like SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, and H1N1 by inactivating viruses and bacteria on the polymer surfaces.

SINTX and Iwatani intend to capitalize on recent and promising data demonstrating the potential of SINTX AP2silicon nitride powder to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Studies showing the rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by SINTX's silicon nitride are the latest in a series of papers showing similar activity of silicon nitride against a variety of bacteria and viral strains, the companies said.

SINTX and Iwatani plan to jointly fund collaborative product development activities in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Japan with the support of external laboratories as well.

SINTX Technologies is an OEM ceramics company that develops and commercializes silicon nitride for medical and non-medical applications.

The core strength of SINTX Technologies is the manufacturing, research, and development of silicon nitride ceramics for external partners.

The company presently manufactures silicon nitride powders and components in its FDA registered, AS9100D certified, and ISO 13485:2016 certified manufacturing facility.