# Feasibility study of novel hand hygiene formulations against bacterial spore infection

> **NIH NIH R41** · CAMELLIX, LLC · 2022 · $266,592

## Abstract

Project Summary:
Spore-forming bacterial species, such as various Bacilli and Clostridia, undergo a sporulation
process under unfavorable conditions to form dormant spores. These bacterial spores have
become a threat to the food industry as they can cause food spoilage and food poisoning. In
addition, an opportunistic pathogen, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), one of the five CDC-
listed urgent threats, causes Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in the healthcare and long-
term care systems. Unfortunately, there are currently no sporicidal hand hygiene products.
Hand wash with soap and water is the only recommended method to prevent CDI either in
healthcare settings or at home (CDC, C. difficile: Prevent the spread of C. difficile). It is known
that soap and water do not inactivate bacterial spores, but rather remove them from the skin
into the water drainage system. Thus, hand hygiene methods with high sporicidal activity, yet
without toxicity, are in urgent need to better protect the general population from infections
caused by spore-forming bacteria. Based on patented and patent-pending technologies,
Camellix, LLC has developed novel alcohol-based formulations containing epigallocatechin-3-
gallate-palmitate (EC16), a compound derived from green tea polyphenols, which showed potent
sporicidal activity in initial tests. In the current proposal, investigators from Camellix and Seton
Hall University will: determine and validate the sporicidal activity of novel alcohol-based
formulations containing epigallocatechin-3-gallate-palmitate (EC16) against a wide spectrum of
bacterial spores and can provide novel hand hygiene methods without toxicity (Aim 1). The
selected formulations with potent sporicidal activities will be undergoing test the cytotoxicity,
stability, and efficacy of finalized F1 and F2 identified in Aim 1 in comparison to currently used
methods and products (Aim 2). Supported by an NIH STTR Phase II grant, Camellix is currently
developing novel hand/surface disinfectants according to EPA, FDA and EU regulations and
standards, and achieving expected results, which demonstrates our expertise and experience in
hand hygiene product development. The proposed work will lead to first-in-class nontoxic hand
hygiene prototypes against pathogenic spore-forming bacteria.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10542696
- **Project number:** 1R41AI172420-01
- **Recipient organization:** CAMELLIX, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Stephen Hsu
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $266,592
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-19 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10542696

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10542696, Feasibility study of novel hand hygiene formulations against bacterial spore infection (1R41AI172420-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10542696. Licensed CC0.

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