Press Release: Building the Evidence Base for Far-UVC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Blueprint Biosecurity Announces EXHALE Award Recipients
$1M awarded to evaluate far-UVC’s real-world effectiveness as a pandemic countermeasure
WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 13, 2025 – Blueprint Biosecurity, a nonprofit organization working to prevent pandemics and strengthen society’s response to biological threats, today announced the recipients of its Exposure of Human Aerosols to far-UVC Light for pathogen Elimination (EXHALE) program awards, a funding initiative aimed at evaluating the real-world effectiveness of far-UVC light as a pandemic countermeasure.
Blueprint is awarding approximately $1M in grants to fund two research teams to evaluate far-UVC’s effectiveness in real, human-generated respiratory aerosols. Dr. Seema Lakdawala’s team at Emory University, in collaboration with Dr. Linsey Marr and her group from Virginia Tech, will study the technology’s effect on influenza, while Dr. Joshua Santarpia’s team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center will study both influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
While existing laboratory studies have demonstrated far-UVC’s germicidal properties against various pathogens on surfaces and in lab-generated aerosol droplets, this research will provide critical data on far-UVC’s effectiveness against the complex aerosols humans actually produce when breathing, talking, and coughing.
“The EXHALE program is one of several efforts to build our pandemic preparedness toolkit against airborne pathogens,” said James Montavon, Far-UVC Deputy Director at Blueprint Biosecurity. “By generating the data needed to deploy far-UVC broadly, we’re building the evidence base for a technology that could protect entire communities in the event of a future airborne pandemic.”
“We’re grateful for Blueprint’s support in advancing our understanding of whether far-UVC inactivates influenza viruses expelled into the air by infected people,” said Dr. Seema Lakdawala, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Emory University and Co-director of the Emory Center for Transmission of Airborne Pathogens. “This funding enables us to generate critical data needed to move this technology forward.”
“This award allows us to rigorously evaluate far-UVC against both influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 in conditions that mirror actual transmission scenarios,” said Dr. Joshua Santarpia, Professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at University of Nebraska Medical Center. “We’re honored to contribute evidence that could inform how we protect communities during future outbreaks.”
Following a competitive review process, Blueprint selected research teams to build the evidence base needed to evaluate far-UVC’s potential for deployment in schools, hospitals, and public spaces. An initial readout of results is expected in mid-2026.
About Far-UVC Light
Far-UVC are wavelengths of ultraviolet light (200-235 nm) that can inactivate airborne pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Unlike conventional UV light, far-UVC’s limited penetration depth prevents it from reaching living skin cells. This property enables far-UVC to inactivate pathogens continually in occupied spaces, creating layers of protection without disrupting normal activities. To learn more about far-UVC light and its applications, read Blueprint Biosecurity’s Blueprint for Far-UVC here.
About Blueprint Biosecurity
Blueprint Biosecurity is a nonprofit organization working to prevent pandemics and strengthen society’s response to biological threats. The organization develops strategic roadmaps and funds targeted research to accelerate practical technological solutions for pandemic preparedness. Its goal is to transform how society responds to outbreaks so communities stay open, economies keep running, and people stay safe. For more information on Blueprint Biosecurity, please visit Blueprintbiosecurity.org or follow us on social media: LinkedIn, X.
Media Contact
Sami Leonardo
Communications Director