Your Source of Innovation in the Medical Field
FeaturedTechnologies

Revolutionizing Healthcare Air and Surface Purification: A Conversation with the CEO of Pyure

Revolutionizing Healthcare Air and Surface Purification: A Conversation with the CEO of Pyure
With over 15 years of development, Pyure has created a scalable and cost-effective solution that uses active air purification to neutralize pathogens, mold, and pollutants in real time. We spoke with Mahyar Khosravi, the CEO of Pyure, to learn more about how the company's air and surface purification technology is transforming industries like healthcare. (C. Rustici/ AdobeStock)

With over 15 years of development, Pyure has created a scalable and cost-effective solution that uses active air purification to neutralize pathogens, mold, and pollutants in real time. We spoke with Mahyar Khosravi, the CEO of Pyure, to learn more about how the company’s air and surface purification technology is transforming industries like healthcare.

What makes Pyure’s air and surface purification technology unique compared to other decontamination methods?

Mahyar Khosravi: “Pyure’s technology stands out because it is based on an active air purification system, unlike passive technologies like filtration or UV light. We use air passing through our systems to carry hydroxyl radicals into the occupied space. These radicals actively break down pathogens, mold, and other pollutants in real-time, continuously sanitizing the environment. In contrast, passive systems only treat the air that directly passes through the media, such as filters or UV lights. Additionally, Pyure’s technology is scalable, cost-effective, and safe, which makes it suitable for various environments, including healthcare and industrial sectors.”

Did you initially develop this technology with a focus on healthcare, or did you target other sectors first?

Mahyar Khosravi: “Initially, the focus of our technology was on the remediation and restoration sector, particularly addressing issues like mold and VOCs after flood or fire damage. Over time, we realized that our core technology, which effectively addresses pathogens, pollutants, and VOCs, could be applied across various industries. As technology evolved, we began focusing more on industrial and healthcare sectors, particularly in the last four years.” 

Nature’s Process Outdoors (Steris/Pyure)
Indoor Process via PYURE (Steris/Pyure)

Has your technology required adaptation to cater to healthcare ?

Mahyar Khosravi: “No, the core technology has remained unchanged. What we’ve done to adapt it to specific industries is mainly related to third-party testing, case studies, and obtaining necessary certifications. For example, in healthcare, we obtained FDA clearance for medical device registration and toxicity studies, while in food processing, we focus on pathogens like E. coli and salmonella. The underlying technology remains the same, but the testing and use cases are tailored to meet industry-specific needs.”

Can you tell us more about your collaboration with Steris in the healthcare sector?

Mahyar Khosravi: “Our partnership with Steris spans over three years. Steris is one of the world’s largest providers of sterilization equipment for operating rooms and sterilization units. Initially skeptical of our technology’s ability to meet their standards, they conducted extensive in-house testing over almost two years. After validating the efficacy of our technology, they began deploying it in operating rooms and sterilization processing units.”

How does Pyure’s technology integrate into healthcare facilities? Do you offer portable units or only systems that are embedded into HVAC systems?

Mahyar Khosravi: “In all our deployments with Steris, we have primarily used our integrated products, either our In-Duct products or our larger series of products. In both cases, these systems are integrated with the HVAC system, whether in the operating room, operating theater, or sterilization processing unit. We have recently begun discussions about utilizing some of our portable equipment which is FDA Class 2 certified. This product is ideal for use cases like clinics or ICUs, where an ultra-high level of purification is needed due to the high-risk patients being treated. While we can certainly extend this to other areas, for operating rooms and sterilization processing units, our integrated products remain the primary solution.”

OR with In-Duct Hydroxyl Generator System
OR with In-Duct Hydroxyl Generator System – Area sanitized in blue) Courtesy of Steris / Pyure)

Have you considered creating mobile robots for infection control, similar to UV-based robots?

Mahyar Khosravi: “We don’t see the need for mobile robots like UV systems. UV technologies have significant downsides, such as the risk of human exposure to UV-C and the fact that they can only treat areas in direct line of sight. Pyure’s technology, on the other hand, distributes hydroxyl radicals throughout the entire occupied space using air currents, ensuring continuous and even purification. Our system is safe for humans and pets, and unlike UV, it doesn’t require direct exposure or line of sight. This makes our technology easier to deploy and maintain while remaining effective.”

What are the main considerations for healthcare facilities looking to integrate Pyure’s technology?

Mahyar Khosravi: “There’s nothing special healthcare facilities need to do to integrate our technology. Whether it’s new construction or a renovation, we work with engineering firms and architects to efficiently integrate our systems into the existing infrastructure. Our products can be retrofitted into most HVAC setups, and the installation is straightforward without requiring significant changes to the facility.”

Can you estimate how many units a healthcare facility needs to deploy?

Mahyar Khosravi: “The number of units required depends on the size and airflow of the facility. For example, an operating room may only need one or two of our integrated units to maintain effective air purification. However, larger spaces or areas with higher bio-loads, like ICUs, would require more units to ensure comprehensive coverage. The exact number is determined based on specific needs, airflow, and environmental conditions.”

How does the cost of Pyure’s technology compare to other decontamination solutions, such as UV systems?

Mahyar Khosravi: “Pyure’s technology is positioned as a premium product. The cost can vary significantly depending on the size and scope of the deployment. Prices range from the low thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the system’s size. However, the scalability and return on investment are where our technology stands out. For industrial applications, the ROI is typically achieved in less than a year. When comparing costs, what matters most is the long-term efficacy and maintenance savings, which outweigh the initial investment.”

Watch also our report by our sister publication DirectIndustry e-magazine

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement