- Helium and natural gas producer Renergen (RLT) has created a vaccine storage solution which effectively simplifies the process of transferring immunisations
- Renergen Cryo-Vacc allows vaccines to be stored in extremely cold temperatures for 30 days without the need for a power supply
- The storage contains liquid helium, which is able to be boiled and released consistently for a month — providing the cold tempertaure
- The company has described the solution as ground breaking and has filed for patent rights on the device
- RLT is also calling on collaborators to use the design, to assist in the deployment of vaccines such as Pfizer’s COVID-19 jab
- Shares in RLT have opened today trading up 6.72 per cent to trade at $1.43 each
Renergen (RLT) has created a new vaccine storage solution which effectively simplifies the process of transferring immunisations.
The invention by the helium and natural gas producer comes at a key time, as Pfizer and other drug makers begin rolling out their COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccine solution
The device created by RLT, names Renergen Cryo-Vacc, essentially allows vaccines to be stored in extremely cold temperatures for 30 days without power supply.
The Cryo-Vacc has been designed to transport a minimum of 100 doses, whilst
keeping the vaccine at the required cooling rate of minus 70 degrees celsius.
The device is encased in aluminium and contains liquid helium, which is able to be boiled and released consistently over the 30 day period — providing the necessary cold tempertaure.
The density of liquid helium is also significantly lighter than traditional liquid nitrogen, giving the device an easy to transport weight of just 20 kilos.
Commenting on the new device, RLT Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Marani said it was groundbreaking.
“As an emerging helium producer, we are proud to have developed this innovative concept, at a time when the world is seeking solutions on how to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Next steps
Renergen has already filed for the patent rights to its design and is now calling on collaborators to use the solution.
The company argues it would help drastically simplify logistics significantly and allow vaccines to be transported using traditional logistics chains.
“Defeating [COVID-19] will take collaboration. For that reason we are inviting partners with the resources to roll-out large-scale manufacture of the Renergen Cryo-Vacc and global logistics companies who are able to transport medical supplies,” the CEO said.
“Depending on where the helium is sourced, the operating cost of the device should be under US$0.07 per dose per day for the smallest device,” he added.
Following the vaccine solution announcement, shares in Renergen have jumped 6.72 per cent to trade at $1.43 each at 10:38 AM AEDT.