January 5, 2021
NEWS RELEASE
Contacts:
Laura Eppler, Chief Marketing Officer
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania
Cell 610.417.5261 leppler@nep.benfranklin.org
Rachel Wrigley, Deputy Director of Communications
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
Cell: 717-678-3729 rwrigley@pa.gov
Dr. Kathryn C. Worrilow
CEO, LifeAire Systems, LLC
For Immediate Release:
Ben Franklin Client LifeAire Systems Presents in PA DCED’s Innovating to Recovery Series
Deputy Secretary of Technology and Innovation Steve D’Ettorre of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) hosted a media call Tuesday morning announcing the efforts of Allentown-based manufacturer LifeAire Systems, LLC to fight the coronavirus. Deputy Secretary D’Ettorre was joined by LifeAire Systems CEO Dr. Kathryn C. Worrilow, and representatives from the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP).
This media conference is part of DCED’s Innovating to Recovery series. These virtual events present the work of Ben Franklin Technology Partners client companies statewide in both addressing the pandemic with innovative products and processes, and accelerating the economic recovery by creating and retaining highly paid, sustainable jobs.
The proprietary and transformational air purification systems originally developed for highly sensitive In Vitro Fertilization facilities by LifeAire Systems are capable of killing infectious airborne pathogens including COVID-19. In addition to placing the technology in hospitals and senior living facilities to reduce infections, illness, and length of stay, LifeAire Systems has applied its proven kill technology to help during the COVID-19 pandemic in protecting dental practices, commercial office spaces, transportation, and educational facilities.
LifeAire Systems has also applied its technology to develop a portable, rapid decontamination unit for N95 masks that kills COVID-19 and other healthcare pathogens within all layers of the mask. More than 1,650 masks can be decontaminated in one day, helping with our current PPE shortage and reducing overall costs.
“LifeAire’s ability to pivot quickly in applying its technology to address the pandemic is emblematic of early-stage technology firms,” said Doug Engler, BFTP/NEP Lehigh Valley Regional Manager. “We are pleased to support LifeAire with funding, business and technical support, and key introductions to accelerate its success.”
“We developed the LifeAire System to solve a significant problem that impacted patient care – the presence of infectious airborne pathogens,” said Dr. Worrilow. “We are thrilled that our flagship technology is effective in protecting front-line workers and the general population during the pandemic.”
“Through the Ben Franklin Technology Partners, DCED supports early-stage technology companies and established manufacturers as they help us innovate to recovery from the coronavirus,” said D’Ettorre. “LifeAire is an outstanding example of a young company that has responded swiftly and effectively to this pandemic.”
About the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP) creates and retains highly paid, sustainable jobs by investing in and linking companies with experts, universities, follow-on funding, and other resources to help them prosper through innovation. It is part of a four-center economic development initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.
BFTP/NEP’s strategy encompasses three key areas:
1. developing and growing early-stage technology-oriented companies;
2. supporting established manufacturers as they creatively apply new technology to help them succeed globally by producing better, faster, and at a lower cost;
3. promoting an innovative community-wide infrastructure that supports Pennsylvania’s business technology ecosystem.
Since beginning operations in 1983, BFTP/NEP has helped to create 19,257 new jobs for Pennsylvania workers and to retain 43,880 existing jobs, to start 525 new companies, and to develop 2,113 new products and processes. Since 2007, BFTP/NEP clients have generated more than $1.6 billion in follow-on funding. The Pennsylvania Ben Franklin Technology Partners network has returned $3.90 to the state treasury for every $1.00 invested in the program.
BFTP/NEP owns, manages, and is headquartered in Ben Franklin TechVentures®, an award-winning business incubator/post-incubator facility on Lehigh University’s campus in Bethlehem. BFTP/NEP also owns and manages the Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center. Applying more than 35 years of experience and two international awards for excellence in business incubation, BFTP/NEP leads a 13-member business incubator network that is among the largest in the nation.
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