Bioguard: How Science Created Self-Sanitizing Surfaces to Fight Disease

Imagine items that can constantly defend themselves against germs, from the money we handle daily to the floors in healthcare facilities. Scientists have been developing advanced technologies that achieve just this, creating an invisible defense against viruses, bacteria, and fungi. One of these innovations, a surface ant-pathogen treatment called Bioguard, holds the potential to significantly advance our efforts in combating infectious diseases by offering a proactive method for reducing pathogen transmission across a wide range of environments.

The recent appearance and spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus in the United States, impacting poultry populations and leading to egg shortages in North America, powerfully illustrates the ongoing threat from infectious pathogens. Although the immediate risk to the general public is currently considered low, past experiences, such as the emergence of COVID-19, demonstrate how a seemingly limited danger can evolve into a significant human health concern. These events highlight the crucial importance of developing effective methods to reduce the spread of pathogens through various means, including contaminated surfaces, as evidenced by University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute member Benjamin Anderson: "While it [H5N1] is highly pathogenic in poultry, it doesn't have that same impact on every species it infects. But viruses can evolve and change. What exists now may not always be the case in future circulating strains, so we always have to pay attention."

Against this backdrop of persistent microbial challenges, innovative disinfection approaches become particularly important. There are several new technologies suitable for this purpose, applicable across various industries—and one of them is Bioguard™, grounded in scientific principles and meticulously developed by the French banknote printing company Oberthur Fiduciaire. Initially designed to protect banknotes during the H1N1 influenza epidemic in the early 2000s, its application has broadened to include packaging, public surfaces, and even architectural materials like wallpaper, providing an unseen layer of defense against a variety of microbial threats.

H1N1 Wake-Up Call

The origin of the anti-pathogen solution can be traced to Lyon, a French city with a long history of important advancements in microbiology. Lyon was home to Marcel Mérieux, a student of Louis Pasteur, and his institute, and later became a central location for global healthcare organizations such as Sanofi-Pasteur and BioMérieux. This tradition of scientific innovation in the region fostered an environment conducive to addressing new health threats.

In the late 2000s, intensive research was spurred by the emergence of the H1N1 influenza virus. This strain belonged to the same family of viruses that caused the devastating Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918, which resulted in an estimated 20 to 50 million deaths globally. The historical precedent, along with multiple warnings from healthcare experts, emphasized the potential severity of outbreaks and motivated scientists to seek solutions.

Among these researchers was a nearby security paper research center that collaborated with scientists from the Lyon University Hospital system (HCL). Their eventual goal was to develop a long-lasting and safe method to protect banknotes from contamination by viruses and other pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi, and to reduce the potential for transmission through hand contact during health crises. Years later, during the global COVID-19 lockdowns, an ISO-certified laboratory conducted proper testing and demonstrated the effectiveness of an improved version of this anti-pathogen technology, now known as Bioguard™, against the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the pandemic. Since then, several central banks have publicly announced the introduction of banknotes using Bioguard, including Botswana and Fiji. Most central banks do not make public announcements, but Bioguard is present on over 10 billion banknotes worldwide.

Motivation for Self-Sanitizing Surfaces

What initially motivated scientists to develop such a solution? A primary factor was the limited effectiveness of standard cleaning and disinfection methods. The basic advice for preventing contact transmission remains surface disinfection and handwashing. However, these practices prove to be quite impractical in many situations. Some surfaces, like paper, cannot be treated with disinfectants without damage, and it's impossible to wash hands after every interaction with objects like subway doors or payment terminals. This mode of infection spread is particularly concerning because it involves everyday items that people frequently touch without considering the potential health risks.

Given the increasing number of infectious disease outbreaks, including the H1N1 virus, the researchers saw a clear need for a new approach. Ideally, this solution would offer continuous anti-pathogen protection for surfaces by inhibiting pathogen growth and reducing their survival rate: studies show that if a virus remains viable on a surface long enough to encounter a host, even a small number of viral particles can initiate an infection. Essentially, this means that a few coughs from an infected individual can create a hazardous environment: the microscopic droplets land on surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, and handles, allowing the pathogen to persist and potentially spread.

Technology Behind Long-Lasting Anti-Germ Protection

After extensive research, the scientists successfully developed Bioguard, a solution designed to provide this continuous protection. To achieve this, they utilized the principle of synergy—combining multiple components into a single formulation to enhance its effectiveness and disrupt various crucial elements within the biochemical structures of different microorganisms. The precise formula remains proprietary due to patent protection, and there's also the fact that no good-for-all formula actually exists: the solution is formulated in various forms and compositions, such as water-based varnishes, solvent-based systems, and UV-curing resins, to suit different application methods and material properties.

To maintain cost-effectiveness for the customers, Oberthur Fiduciaire adjusts the final level of anti-pathogen performance based on the specific needs of the application and the manufacturing or coating process. This adaptability significantly broadens the potential uses of the technology for diverse surfaces and extends its longevity, explains Henri Rosset, the director of the research center and the originator of the technology: "With this self-disinfecting capability, we accelerate the inactivation of viruses within hours or days, depending on the conditions and surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of contamination. Even after five years, the treatment remains active on banknotes circulating in tropical climates."

Integrating Surface Protection into Our Health Toolkit

While it might seem that universal germ-fighting solutions such as Bioguard offer a complete answer to keeping our world safe and clean, it's important to understand that this isn't entirely the case. Diseases spread in various ways, and contact transmission is just one of them. Infections can also be contracted through the air and in droplets, as well as from animals, food, water, and even insect bites. Therefore, while anti-pathogen surface protection represents a significant advancement, it's best to consider it as one component of a broader approach to public health.

Combining continuous surface protection with daily hygiene practices fills the gaps left by relying on a single disinfection method. For example, while we know disinfection is important, some cleaning products, even simple soap, can irritate skin or have negative environmental impacts, making them less ideal for certain populations and environments. In contrast, solutions like Bioguard are designed to be gentler on both people and the planet. By integrating these safe surface protectors with consistent hygiene efforts and thoughtful disinfection practices, we can create safer environments and significantly reduce the risk of illness in numerous settings.