December 14th, 2011

airmid healthgroup’s data was singled out for praise at the recent inaugural Innovation Convention 2011 in Brussels. The Convention was led by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.

The airmid data was a key aspect to an Irish research project on ceramic tiles that can kill pathogens. The project, one of 50 selected from over 450 EU Research Projects to participate in Europe’s premier innovation event, was driven by researchers at the Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (CREST), part of the Dublin Institute of Technology and Radical Coatings, a company that develops advanced coating technologies, including photocatalytic coatings for hygiene control.

The tiles were on display at EU Innovation Convention in Brussels and the EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn visited the stand at the convention to learn about this innovative project.

Tests carried out at airmid healthgroup in Dublin validated that the technology is 99.99 % efficient at killing the hospital ‘superbug’ MRSA, E. coli and Trichophyton rubrum (the fungus that causes athlete’s foot).

The photocatalytic antibacterial surface coating technology developed by a research team at DIT was converted into a commercial product (using funding from Enterprise Ireland) by Robert Hickson, MD of VitrA Ireland, who has applied the light activated surface technology for use on ceramics.

According to Dr Martin Lyes, Enterprise Ireland, “this shows how EU funding for networking in science brought together leading companies, research centres and universities, enhancing Europe’s innovation and creating jobs”.

There was a strong Irish based innovation theme running through the whole convention. Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, was asked by Máire Geoghegan-Quinn during the question and answer session why Google chose Ireland to be its European headquarters. Schmidt confirmed it was due to the innovation culture in Ireland and particularly access to strong local graduate talent. This endorsement of Ireland and its young entrepreneurs was also being transmitted live by Webinar around the world. It is heartening to see Irish entrepreneurs and Ireland doing so well on a key European platform.

DUBLIN, Ireland, November 10^th 2011

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny today congratulated Dublin based research facility, airmid healthgroup on their world first, of becoming ISO accredited in a biomedical field of indoor air pollution and health. airmid are ISO17025 accredited for the analysis of Cat & House Dust Mite allergen levels.

“The companies we work with are proactive leaders in the global drive to reduce ill health due to indoor air pollutants —a major cause of the asthma and allergies that affect a growing percentage of the population” says airmid CEO Dr Bruce Mitchell. “Third-party testing is an important component of customer value proposition, and we’re glad to play a role in efforts by manufacturers to innovate health related products.  Becoming the first ISO 17025 accredited laboratory in the world for Cat & House Dust Mite Allergen testing is something we are proud of, and gives manufacturers and consumers the peace of mind they are investing in the best”.

“airmid healthgroup reflects the huge achievements of Ireland in the area of life sciences, and in biomedical research in particular.  Ireland is now in the top 20 in the world for the quality and relevance of our scientific research and due to the efforts of companies like airmid, we are now the number one location in Europe for Life sciences projects. And this strength is reflected in terms of multinational investment, exports and jobs” said An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.

Dublin, Ireland, August 2011

airmid healthgroup ltd, a world leading biomedical research company, are again pleased to learn that one of its research and innovation clients, Rexair, has recently been awarded the valued asthma & allergy friendly^TM Certification Mark in the United States of America by Allergy Standards Ltd. Rexair started the comprehensive development project with airmid healthgroup ltd in July 2010. The announcement was made at a recent Rexair AGM where the President and CEO Paul Vidovich received an award relating to the research and Certification (pictured below).

"I am extremely delighted that following the extensive research Rexair conducted with airmid healthgroup ltd they have been awarded the asthma & allergy friendly^TM Certification Mark in the United States of America", said Dr Bruce Mitchell, CEO of airmid healthgroup ltd. "Rexair are thought leaders in the area of air quality and we look forward to working with them in the future in other areas related to air quality".

The certified product will soon be available through the Rexair direct sales force.

Dublin, 8^th August 2011

airmid healthgroup ltd are delighted to announce the appointment of another PhD graduate, to their already multifaceted science team. At an exciting time of development John Fallon PhD, has joined airmid healthgroup ltd as Senior Scientific Officer in the specialist area of Microbiology. This appointment will enhance airmid's capability to produce market-led, health-related knowledge for client's products and services.

John graduated from the National University of Ireland Maynooth with a BSc in Biological Sciences. Following completion of his undergraduate studies John remained at NUIM to complete a PhD in the medical mycology unit examining the disease causing potential of environmental isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus in vertebrate and invertebrate immune systems.

Dublin, 20^th July 2011

airmid healthgroup ltd, a world leading bio-medical research facility, have demonstrated their continued growth with the appointment of Vivienne Mahon PhD as the Senior Scientific Officer/Laboratory Research. This appointment will enhance airmid's ability to deliver market changing, health-related knowledge about products and services.

A recipient of a prestigious academic gold medal from Trinity College Dublin, Vivienne graduated with a B.A. (Mod) degree in microbiology and then remained at Trinity to complete a PhD in molecular microbiology that focused on the regulation of gene expression in enterotoxigenic E. coli. As a post-doctoral scientist Vivienne spent two years in the National Institute for Bioprocessing, Research and Training (NIBRT) working on mammalian cell culture media development and optimisation.

Vivienne joins a multidisciplinary team of Clinicians, Industrial Hygienists, Occupational Health Advisers, and specialist laboratory scientists in mycology, virology, bacteriology, allergy and immunology.

Dublin, 29^th June 2011 

Dr John McKeon, co-founder of airmid healthgroup ltd, was recently invited to be a guest speaker and sit on the judging panel at a post-doctoral workshop on Entrepreneurship as part of the Marie Curie International Training Network.

"I was delighted to speak at this prestigious Marie Curie workshop and be asked to be on the judging panel," said Dr McKeon. "We have strong links with the college both with the graduate school of business and in life sciences research. This event, along with our attendance at the opening by the Irish Prime Minister of the Trinity Biomedical Institute, is a great example of how our location in the Trinity Enterprise Campus allows us to position airmid healthgroup ltd at the forefront of life sciences research and innovation at a European and Global level".

The lecture series was organised by Professor O'Neill, from the Trinity School of Business, and Bridget Noone, Enterprise Executive, Trinity Research and Innovation, and held in the lecture theatres in the Trinity Enterprise Campus.

This Marie Curie action initiative, LeCHE, is described as ideal training for future researchers in Europe, drawing together leading research teams in the world, state-of-the-art methods and a clearly focused, important and emotive question with widespread repercussions and integrates them using sophisticated tools and training devices.

The large, 15 researcher, 24 participant, European training network explores the origin and impact of dairying in Europe. The participating researchers will draw on the latest genetic studies of modern humans and domestic animals to identify markers of specific traits.

The Entrepreneurship master class covered key themes such as idea generation, value proposition, intellectual property, market analysis and business models. It colminated in a pitch presentation to a panel including venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and business consultants.

The winners were Zooms, for the innovative commercialisation model for collagen sampling, which already has had its first customer in the UK Police where their technique proved superior and more commercially relevant than traditional identification methods.

Dublin, Ireland, June 2011

As the CDC announces a staggering rise in USA asthma rates, airmid healthgroup ltd are delighted to announce that one of its research and innovation clients, Rabbit Air, has recently been awarded the prestigious asthma & allergy friendly^TM Certification Mark in the United States from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Rabbit Air started the comprehensive development project with airmid healthgroup ltd in July 2010.

airmid healthgroup ltd is a vertically integrated biotechnology innovation and research company dealing with indoor air health solutions across a number of areas. Its world class facilities span a wide aspect of disciplines all relevant to indoor particulate contaminants, ranging from virology, microbiology, mycology, endotoxin and allergens.

"I am extremely delighted that following the extensive research conducted at airmid healthgroup ltd, Rabbit Air have been awarded the asthma & allergy friendly^TM Certification Mark in the United States of America", said Dr Bruce Mitchell, CEO of airmid healthgroup ltd. "Rabbit Air are leaders in the area of air quality and we look forward to working with them in the future in other areas related to air quality and health such as viruses and backteria".

The certified product will soon be available online and in selected stores, such as the Home Depot.

Dublin, 22^nd June 2011

As the CDC announces a staggering rise in USA asthma rates Rabbit Air have been awarded the prestigious asthma & allergy friendly^TM Certification Mark in the United States to play a role in the solution.

airmid healthgroup ltd are delighted to announce that one of its research and innovation clients, Rabbit Air, has recently been awarded the prestigious product certification mark from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Rabbit Air started the comprehensive development project with airmid healthgroup ltd in July 2010. The original announcement of the research and development program was made at a trade announcement by the Irish Prime Minister in New York with Mayor Bloomberg.

Ireland is an internationally established centre of excellence for research and innovation in medical devices and clean-tech technology. According to the Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland is home to 9 of the top 10 global companies working in the bio medical research field.

airmid healthgroup ltd is a vertically integrated biotechnology innovation and research company dealing with indoor air health solutions across a number of areas. Its world class facilities span a wide aspect of disciplines all relevant to indoor particulate contaminants, ranging from virology, microbiology, mycology, endotoxin and allergens.

"I am extremely delighted that following the extensive research Rabbit Air conducted with airmid healthgroup ltd they have been awarded the asthma & allergy friendly^TM Certification Mark in the United States of America", said Dr Bruce Mitchell, CEO of airmid healthgroup ltd. "Rabbit Air are thought leaders in the area of air quality and we look forward to working with them in the future in other areas related to air quality and health such as viruses and bacteria".

The certified product will soon be available online and in selected stores, such as the Home Depot.

Dublin, Ireland, July 2010

Underscoring the success of Irish companies at leveraging knowledge-based models to serve US businesses, airmid healthgroup ltd has been contracted by leading purification technology provider, Rabbit Air, to test its high-quality air cleaners for compliance with the asthma & allergy friendly^TM Cerrification Program. The announcement was made during an economic mission to the United States led by Ireland's Prime Minister, Brian Cowen. Commenting on the announcement, Prime Minister Cowen noted, "Ireland's excellence in medical science and engineering research presents many opportunities to North American businesses. I am pleased to see that successful technology companies like Rabbit Air recognize this opportunity and elect to work with innovation leaders like ASL. Both companies deservedly receive our contratulations and support for their continued success".

airmid healthgroup ltd will immediately begin an extensive research and testing regimen to assure the entire Rabbit Air purifier line is ideal for use in homes, offices, healthcare and multiple other settings.

"Energy efficiency initiatives are making indoor air quality and airborne infection a major issue in the international marketplace," stated Michael Breshgold, USA Sales Manager, asthma & allergy friendly^TM Certification Program. "Product stewardship must consider the in-use phase of lifecycle analysis, the asthma & allergy friendly^TM Certification process does this with specific emphasis on asthma and allergy for the concerned consumer. We are very pleased to develop this detailed research and development effort with an innovative company like Rabbit Air."

"Rabbit Air is dedicated to improving and optimizing the indoor environment for those suffering from allergies and asthma and we are excited to be commencing certification testing for the asthma & allergy friendly^TM Certification Program," said Rabbit Air spokesperson Edwim Cheung Vice President of Business Decelopment.

"I am delighted that an innovative company like Rabbit Air is taking a leadership position and is submitting products to our robust third party independent testing program," said Bill McLin, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Back row (l-r): Gerry Murphy, Enterprise Ireland; Irish Prime Minister, Brian Cowen; Karrie Chan, CFO, Rabbit Air. Front row (l-r): Michael Breshgold, Sales Manager asthma & allergy friendlyTM Certification Program; Edwin Cheung, VP of Development, Rabbit Air.

Dublin, 13^th June 2011

airmid healthgroup ltd have another exciting announcement regarding the newly developed Sustainable Buildings and Indoor Air Quality abstract. The abstract has been accepted by the US Association of Asthma Educators and focuses on the fact that good Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is a fundamental principle of sustainable “green” buildings and the creation of healthy indoor homes and offices requires that at design, construction, furnishing and maintenance stages, that there must be a balance between maximising energy conservation and protecting health in buildings.

The abstract reports on those respiratory illnesses that are either caused or aggravated by poor indoor air quality and recognises the need for environmental control measures as part of an overall management plan for those with allergies and asthma.

Caitriona O’Donovan, General Manager of the health friendly air programme said of the abstract, “Given that those with allergies and asthma are particularly susceptible to indoor air pollution we are delighted that our airmid healthgroup ltd abstract on Sustainable Buildings and Indoor Air Quality has been accepted by the US Association of Asthma Educators”.