From Lab Bench to Loyalty: The People Powering Health-Focused Innovation

By Dr. John McKeon  Medical director at Airmid and expert author on Aerobiology, infections aerosols and indoor air. Dr McKeon is an Ambassador of the World Filtration Institute, an accredited educator for the American Institute of Architects and a member of the Environmental Health Committee of ASHRAE.

Airmid Healthgroup’s “To the Shelf / Off the Shelf” framework follows the full product journey, from formulation and testing to in-store impact and consumer loyalty

Imagine this.

You’ve spent months, maybe years, developing a health-forward product.

You’ve nailed the formulation.

Filed the claims.

Secured the lab data.

But at the eleventh hour, it stalls.

Not because the science wasn’t solid.

But because a buyer wasn’t convinced. A retailer wasn’t sure. A consumer didn’t quite believe.

Innovation fails when trust is missing.

At Airmid Healthgroup, we’ve seen it firsthand, walking alongside teams from early-stage disruptors to Fortune 500 giants.

And here’s what we’ve learned:

The most successful innovations don’t just test products. They map the entire journey -through the lens of real people.

We call it:

To the Shelf / Off the Shelf

A people-first framework that follows the lifecycle of a product from formulation to post-purchase, helping build trust, traction, and long-term loyalty.

Let’s break it down.

Science: Build Your Evidence Foundation

You’re the innovator. The formulator. The problem-solver.

You need test data that’s bulletproof  because regulators, investors, and internal stakeholders are watching.

We work with science teams to:

• Design custom test protocols (ISO, ASTM, GLP-aligned)

• Validate reduction claims (pathogens, allergens, pollutants)

• Produce defensible data for submissions and due diligence

Real-world example:
Custom bioaerosol protocols developed to support novel R&D strategies in indoor air.

Marketing: Make the Data Mean Something

You’re crafting the message.
Trying to shape claims into stories consumers can believe – and remember.

We help by:

• Substantiating health claims with third-party data

• Translating technical results into everyday language

• Creating assets for packaging, media, and websites

In action:
Airmid Healthgroup contributed to the Dyson study on hand hygiene and indoor air quality translating complex science into consumer relevance.

Sales: Give Buyers Proof, Not Pitch

You’re pitching to buyers. Retailers. Channel partners.

They’re skeptical.
They want data that closes gaps, not slides that create more.

We support sales teams by:

• Providing third-party test reports to build confidence

• Backing pitches with verified evidence

• Equipping teams for in-store activations

Case study:
Tarkett’s FiberFloor® achieved Healthy Indoor Air certification -opening new retail doors.

Buyer: Make Confident Calls

You’re the gatekeeper.

You sign off on what hits shelves and your reputation depends on performance, not promises.

We help buyers:

• Vet supplier claims independently

• Ensure compliance with ISO, EPA, ASHRAE

• Reduce reputational, regulatory, and performance risk

Case study:
Fellowes® AeraMax™ validated for flu virus removal, third-party proof that made procurement decisions easier.

Consumer: See It. Believe It. Feel It.

They’re not reading lab reports.
They want to feel the difference.

We help brands:

• Align test data with real-life benefits

• Deliver on expectations around air quality, allergens, and safety

• Build trust through scientific credibility

Testing that speaks human:
From asthma triggers to mold prevention, through allergen and pathogen testing verification, we help brands prove what matters.

In-Store: Win the Moment

Purchase decisions happen fast.

We help retailers and merchandising teams:

• Use verified claims on POS and packaging

• Develop “reason to believe” messaging with substance

• Sync the in-store story with online assets

Example:
Philips showcased virus removal claims with Airmid-validated testing, helping consumers choose with confidence.

Engage: Keep the Trust After the First Sale

Loyalty lives beyond the first purchase.

We support brand teams by:

• Communicating validated benefits over time

• Using transparent science to fuel brand advocacy

• Reinforcing credibility post-purchase

Case in point:
Knauf Insulation used air quality testing to deepen consumer trust — and drive long-term brand equity.

The Takeaway

Innovation doesn’t start in a lab.
And it doesn’t end at the shelf.

It’s a human journey, spanning science, marketing, sales, and real-life experience.

At Airmid Healthgroup, we don’t just test.

We partner with the people behind progress to build, cleaner, more trusted indoor environments.

If you’re on that journey?

Let’s talk.

Visit:

Who We Help: Supporting Product Innovators Across the Commercialization Journey

Related Testing Services at Airmid Healthgroup

• Room Air Cleaner Devices and Portable Air Purifiers Performance Testing
• ASHRAE 241 Testing Services
• Independent Bioaerosol Testing for Air Cleaning Technologies
• Custom Bioaerosol Protocols
• Textile Testing Services
• Laundry and Cleaning Products Testing Services
• Vacuum Cleaner Testing Serviceshttps://airmidhealthgroup.com/industries-served-airmid/independent-validation-for-vacuum-cleaner-innovation.html