ATLANTA and PARIS, Oct. 8, 2007 - AirInSpace raises $8.5 million (€6 million) in VC financing to expand international market penetration for biodecontamination devices providing elimination of deadly airborne microorganisms.

“Our one-of-a-kind technology platform is designed to protect hospital occupants against airborne biological pathogens and nosocomial infections.
The outstanding inactivation and germicidal effects of our technology have been proven even against one of the world’s most resistant microorganisms,
Bacillus atrophaeus spores (anthrax surrogate).”
Laurent Fullana, CEO, AirInSpace

ATLANTA and PARIS, Oct. 8, 2007—AirInSpace, the leading supplier of mobile ‘catch and kill’ bioprotection devices in the French medical market, announced today that it has closed on an $8.5 million (€6 million) Series “B” round of financing.
The round was led by Matignon Technologies II FCPR with Oddo AM (through FCPI Générations Futures) as a second investor. Aelios Finance served as financial advisor for the company. “This financing not only provides key financial resources to fuel our company’s growth in the United States, Asia and Europe but also brings additional invaluable industry experience to our board of directors,” said Laurent Fullana, CEO of AirInSpace. “We are now in a position to ramp up international sales and support more hospitals all over theworld with new technology that ensures safe air for better health.” Plasmair™ mobile hospital unit.

AirInSpace’s one-of-a-kind technology can significantly reduce airborne microbial contaminants. The technology initially stems from research aimed at protecting Russian cosmonauts and equipment in spacecraft. Working with several world-renowned laboratories, AirInSpace has shown that its plasma-based air treatment technology eliminates a wide range of microorganisms, including: Vaccinia virus (smallpox surrogate), Avian flu virus (H5N2), Aspergillus niger (common food contaminant), Staphylococcus aureus (agent of septicemia, Toxic shock syndrome, meningitis,endocarditis and pneumonia), Serratia marcescens (agent of urinary tract and wound infections). The outstanding inactivation and germicidal effects of the technology have been proven even against one of the world’s most resistant microorganisms: e.g., Bacillus atrophaeus spores (anthrax surrogate).

By adapting and optimizing its technology for air treatment in healthcare facilities, AirInSpace has introduced a new line of products that lowers the levels of airborne pathogens in order to reduce incidences of nosocomial infections. Adding to increased protection, AirInSpace’s solutions are also more cost-effective and flexible than traditional air-treatment technologies. AirInSpace’s flagship product is a mobile air-decontamination unit called Plasmair™. The Plasmair™’s performance has been clinically proven to lower airborne biological loads and is now being used to combat nosocomial infection to protect patients, staff and products in high-risk areas of more than 100 hospitals and clinics throughout France, including hematology wards, ICUs, pharmacies and operating theaters.

Aircraft have also begun using this year a new Biological Decontamination Unit (BDU), based on AirInSpace technology and co-developed with an undisclosed strategic air transportation partner, to lower the risk of cross-contamination in the airline cabin and protect passengers and crew from airborne contaminates. Once again higher efficiency and operational savings are made possible through the novelty of the AirInSpace technology platform.

“During our evaluation of the technology, we were very impressed by the added value delivered by the technology,” said Dr. Thierry Chignon, Partner, Matignon Technologies. “For example, one hospital we interviewed had previously closed down one operating room that did not meet the air quality standards. In just a few days, a Plasmair unit was installed, and the operating room could be used again. The alternative for the hospital was to do massive reconstruction of its ventilation system that would have taken many months and cost much more.”

“AirInSpace offers a breakthrough technology in the biodecontamination sector validated in the medical market through extensive use by opinion leaders, international institutes and a growing base of French hospitals,” said Laurent Dumas-Crouzillac, Investment Manager at Oddo AM. “We are determined to help AirInSpace expand its international footprint and supports reapplication opportunities in markets beyond professional healthcare, building on the successful implementation in air transportation,” added Oddo AM Investment ManagerLaetitia Vuitton.