LifeThreads Corporate Fact Sheet
Overview:
LifeThreads(R) LLC is a life sciences company focused on infection control and management in clinical healthcare settings. It is dedicated to having an impact on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). According to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, HAIs in U.S. acute care hospitals resulted in an estimated 75,000 fatalities in 2011 and nearly three-quarters of a million secondary infections in patients as a result of surgery or visiting a hospital, doctor, dentist or healthcare facility.
The company manufactures and distributes a “first of its kind” product line of professional medical apparel, patient garments and linens treated with an EPA-registered antimicrobial active ingredient and binding agents that protects the fabric from harmful pathogens found within institutional medical environments. LifeThreads products include lab coats, scrubs, scrub warm-up jackets, patient gowns, bed sheets and pillow cases.
LifeThreads was founded in 2014 by Karan Jhunjhunwala, a successful and accomplished business executive who has solid experience in multiple fields including healthcare, private equity, business development and financial services. Prior to founding LifeThreads, he served for four years as a senior analyst at Sunrise Capital Partners, a private equity and consulting firm that manages investments in private debt, senior secured lending, technology, health care, real estate-related securities and corporate services.
Fast Facts:
- Founded in 2014 with headquarters in New York City
- All products undergo extensive testing set forth by the guidelines expressed by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)
- LifeThreads’ finish is based upon an EPA-registered active ingredient and binding agents
- The zinc pyrithione treatment protects the fabric from damage caused by bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus and inhibits the growth of odor causing organisms
- Professional product line is designed for doctors, nurses, dentists, veterinarians, lab technicians, chiropractors, pharmacists, medical and dental assistants, therapists, EMT workers and scientists; patient gowns, privacy curtains and linens designed for patients
- LifeThreads’ apparel products are made with a blend of polyester and cotton. The standard blend is 65/35 poly/cotton; custom blends are available.
- LifeThreads’ linens are made with a new fabric called Grace that is manufactured using a spun polyester process. Grace fabric maintains the look and feel of cotton and other blends, but will not shrink or lint and is inherently stain resistant.
- LifeThreads products maintain their antimicrobial characteristics for the life of the garment/product. All garments feature fluid-repellant technology
- LifeThreads has partnered with PureTex Solutions, Orlando, a commercial laundry and linen company serving the healthcare industry, to distribute its products throughout Florida
- LifeThreads has named Evidence Medical, Johannesburg, as the exclusive distributor of its linens and garments for 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa
LifeThreads’ Technology:
- Incorporates zinc pyrithione into its textiles during the manufacturing process, homogenously distributing the additive and impregnating it into the fibers of the textile with an efficacy that lasts for the life of the product
- Active ingredients attack bacteria’s ability to reproduce and absorb nutrients, which eventually leads to elimination of the bacteria
- All garments are fluid-repellant
- The treatment works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and protects the entire surface of the product
- No special handling, new protocols or training are required and the product can be laundered using the same protocols as their conventional equivalents
- LifeThreads products have been tested and comply with American Association of Textile Chemist and Colorists guidelines and have been proven effective by independent third-party research facilities
Laboratory Findings:
LifeThreads products have undergone extensive testing by independent, third-party research facilities. Dr. Matthew Hardwick of ResInnova Laboratories, a Maryland-based lab, conducted tests designed to simulate a clinical healthcare environment. During these tests, LifeThreads garments were shown to reduce pathogen concentrations on the surface of the fabric by 99.99-percent. According to Dr. Hardwick, these results suggest that antimicrobial textiles, especially those including fluid-barrier chemistries, may be effective strategies for combating healthcare-associated infections.
Executive Team:
- Karan Jhunjhunwala, founder & CEO
- Tyler Mutz, vice president, sales and strategy
- Jash Dalal, vice president, manufacturing
- Dr. Elena J. Holak, medical director
Advisory Board:
- Dr. Charles J. Chase, medical director, Orlando Center for Outpatient Surgery
- Aditya Kedia, chairman, Vexxa Life Sciences
Products:
Lab coats/unisex- 6 sizes- extra small through double extra large; white; retail: $21 each
Scrubs/unisex/women’s- tops and bottoms (sold separately), six sizes, colors- dark teal and ceil blue, v-neck, retail: $18 each
Scrub warm-up jackets/unisex- six sizes, colors- ceil blue and dark teal; retail: $16 each
Patient gowns/unisex- 2 sizes- regular and plus size; colors- ceil blue and jade green; retail: $8 each
Bed sheets- 110 by 66 inches; white; retail: $6.50
Pillow cases- 20 by 30 inches; white; retail: $1.50
Social Media:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Life-Threads
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LifeThreads.AntimicrobialTextiles
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LifeThreadsMD
Disclaimer: Studies to evaluate reduction in infection have not been performed on LifeThreads products. The EPA has not reviewed these results for healthcare claims.
LifeThreads is a trademark of LifeThreads LLC.