Singletto to Partner with Kenyan Healthcare Organizations on TB Research
In March, Singletto was one of twelve U.S. companies, and the only healthcare company, invited to attend the United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration’s (ITA) executive-led Trade Mission to Kenya. The Mission, in conjunction with the American Chamber of Commerce Summit and keynote speakers U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, and Kenya’s President, His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, aimed to connect U.S. companies to businesses and government executives from Kenya and East Africa.
Singletto attended the Trade Mission with hopes of determining how best its Oxafence technology could support Kenya’s healthcare innovation efforts. During the Trade Mission, Singletto met with the CDC Kenya, the Ministry of Health Kenya, USAID Kenya, Africa Health Business, representatives from local hospitals and product manufacturers, and was connected to the Technical Director and CEO of the Respiratory Society of Kenya (ReSoK), Dr. Jeremiah Chakaya Muhwa.
Following the Trade Mission, Singletto, ReSoK, and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) began collaborating on much-needed healthcare-focused research opportunities. A research proposal has now been developed and, together, the Research Team is seeking funding.
In Kenya, healthcare workers (HCWs) play a vital role in providing essential medical services and safeguarding the health of the population. However, they face numerous challenges, including the constant risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens. These pathogens include viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 and bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). The rate of TB in Kenya is 259 per 100,000 people placing Kenya among the highest risk countries, globally. In addition, Kenya has seen an increase in refugee and general native Kenyan population multi-drug resistant TB infections rates. HCWs in Kenya are at increased risk of TB infection and disease as well as other infectious respiratory diseases compared to the general population.
The Singletto, ReSoK, and KEMRI Research Team seeks to evaluate the efficacy of Singletto’s Oxafence antimicrobial technology against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), understand Kenyan healthcare workers’ behaviors and perceptions of mask wearing in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, and evaluate acceptability of antimicrobial face masks within Kenyan healthcare settings.
Those interested in sponsoring or funding this research proposal can contact the study’s Co-Principal Investigator and Singletto Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tom Lendvay | Tom@Singletto.com.
About the Research Team
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a State Corporation established in Kenya in 1979 responsible for carrying out research in human health in Kenya. KEMRI has grown from its humble beginnings to become a regional leader in human health research and is ranked as one of the leading centers of excellence in health research both in Africa as well as globally.
Respiratory Society of Kenya (ReSoK) is a professional, non-profit, reference organization whose mission is to improve lung health in Kenya and beyond, through partnership, advocacy, research, innovation, education, training and technical support. A membership organization with leadership provided by chest medicine specialists, ReSoK is known internationally for its successful implementation of Tuberculosis care and prevention that is currently being replicated by other countries.
Singletto is a U.S.-based company revolutionizing healthcare, military, and consumer soft materials and textiles with its novel Oxafence Active Protection antimicrobial technology. Singletto was founded in 2020 out of the global need for better protection for HCWs. Co-Founders Drs. Chen and Lendvay presented a novel viral decontamination method leveraging photodynamic dyes to the WHO, CDC, and others, and a 52-researcher, global consortium formed, researching and confirming the method’s efficacy against pathogens of concern.