WHEN the Covid-19 outbreak started in Wuhan, China, towards the end of 2019, microbiology graduate Shaun Veran kept a close eye on every development, predicting that the virus would have a massive global impact.
With experience working in a biotechnology company that made items for scientists and laboratories, Shaun, who moved to the United States from Malaysia as a child, anticipated that face masks would soon be mandated to curb the spread of the virus.
At that time, Shaun and his younger brother, Keane, were helming Oura, a mission-driven social enterprise that works to infuse high-tech solutions into everyday products.
The brand makes baseball caps that protect the head from UV rays, as well as being waterproof and with antimicrobial properties. People hardly wash their baseball caps, so making the accessory self-sanitising made a lot of sense.
The brothers expedited the development of their Oura mask and by March last year, when the face mask was mandated and supplies were limited, Oura masks sold out every time they were launched.
MEDICAL-GRADE FABRICS
But these are not your conventional or even fashionable face masks. Oura masks are made using tightly woven, medical-grade fabrics (EN 13795:2011) and NIOSH-approved N95 filter.
"Conventional face masks may filter out particles and germs, but those harmful pathogens can live on your mask for up to three days and leave you exposed. Oura masks don't just filter. They kill germs and pathogens," Shaun says.
"We use a molecular-level infusion process to permanently embed antimicrobial compounds into every thread that continuously sterilise the mask.
"These masks have been independently tested by a third-party laboratory and the sterilisation technology has been validated."
Shaun says antimicrobial technology in face masks usually involves spraying the fabric with coating that, unfortunately, wears off after many washes.
"We take a science-first approach in everything we do. We have all our products tested and validated by third parties. There are countless face masks in the market, but their filtration might just range between 30 and 50 per cent, which is not enough and give wearers a false sense of protection," he says.
Oura's masks are pricey, from RM195 to RM230, but Shaun says that's because of the technology and testing that go into them.
"There's an advice on double-masking because the quality of face masks cannot be easily verified, but there's no need to double mask with Oura's," he says.
JOURNEY FROM MALAYSIA
Their family moved to the United States when Keane was 4. Six years later, he was diagnosed with leukaemia and this led to the start of Oura.
"I had no freedom and joy because I went from being a child to a patient," Keane says.
"But being an individual with compromised immunity changed my views in many ways, like how dirty everyday things are. And that's something we set to change with Oura,"
Based in Los Angeles, California, and founded in 2017, Oura makes antimicrobial caps, face masks, aprons, facial cleansing products and clothing.
The company combines technology and design to provide consumers with antimicrobial apparel and home goods that are scientifically backed and verified. It aims to be a trailblazer in creating cleaner lifestyle items, with laboratory-tested products that are safe and effective.
In 2011, Keane had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of meeting former president Barack Obama through Make-A-Wish, an organisation that helps fulfil the wishes of children with critical illnesses.
"This experience was what inspired me to create this as a social enterprise. We want to help other patients find hope and empower their recovery experience," he says.
TWO TYPES
Oura makes two types of face masks. Its Active Mask is built to deliver comfort, maximum protection and extreme breathability during intense activities, like running or workout at the gym, where it's best to remain masked.
The self-sterilising and deodorising mask is made from ultra-lightweight fabric designed to pull sweat and moisture away from the face.
The Air Mask 2.0 is also built for a higher level of protection compared with regular masks.
Made from featherweight fabrics which filter particles, kill germs and are 30 per cent lighter than other standard textiles, the mask ensures all-day comfort and breathability. There is also a junior version for children. They are available at ouragami.com.my.