Mask Maker Shares Success Story

An Israeli startup that used its technology to create anti-pathogen fabric facemasks is the focus of a virtual webinar Sept. 16 hosted by the Atlanta Israel Coalition, AJC Atlanta, Temple Emanu-El and others.

“Behind the Scenes with Sonovia” explains how the Israel-based company helped provide a solution to stop the spread of COVID-19.

AIC founding director Cheryl Dorchinsky, Sonovia co-founder Shay Herchcovici, Dr. Jason Migdal, and key team members were to talk about how Sonovia transitioned from a startup to a successful commercial international business in the midst of a global pandemic.

In addition to AIC mask users, nurses at the Emirates Specialty Clinic are among the first recipients of the product in Dubai under the Israel-UAE treaty.

Atlanta Israel Coalition members show off their original SonoMasks, which formed the basis for a relationship with the Israel-based startup that produced them.

The SonoMask, https://sonoviatech.com/shop/, is made from a high-quality cotton-polyester fabric that offers a level of barrier viewed by the World Health Organization as protection from COVID transmission, Migdal, a microbiology R&D strategist, said in an email to the AJT. The mask was affirmed by independent laboratory bodies to retain its antimicrobial activities against bacteria and fungi after more than 65 washes. Reused face masks typically otherwise harbor micro-organisms that can impact respiratory health, he said. It also has lab-verified anti-viral activity against COVID-19 to destroy the virus it comes in contact with, according to the email.

“The mask technology is a result of 15 years of academic and clinical research and two granted patents, and represents several significant improvements over disposable American and European FFP (filtering facepiece) benchmarks,” Migdal told the AJT.

The online webinar will be held 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sept. 16. Registration in advance is required at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FrsQYafJR0i47Wt5PHVwJQ.

Other promotional partners from Atlanta include B’nai B’rith Atlanta-Achim/Gate City Lodge, Hebrew Order of David, and the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/799912904152967/