2001: Responding to Amerithrax Attacks
In response to the 2001 Amerithrax (Anthrax attacks), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and a large U.S. defense contractor joined forces to develop Binary Ionization Technology (BIT) platform and its SteraMist brand which proved to be capable of defending against biological and chemical agents.
2011: Acquiring the Technology
TOMI recognized the importance of this disruptive and innovative technology. In addition to its uniqueness, TOMI also recognized the ability to address a global need. TOMI, along with many other companies, started a bidding process to commercialize, manufacture, and secure the rights, patents and prototypes for SteraMist BIT.
2013: Proving Efficacy
After several years of negotiations, TOMI won the rights and started the process to secure all necessary registrations. The first step was to register with the EPA; therefore, TOMI initiated successful GLP testing on Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus, the two (2) required pathogens for an EPA Hospital-HealthCare label.
2015/2016: Focus on Registrations
In June 2015, the EPA granted TOMI the first ever solution and technology combination registration. From that point forward, registrations in all 50 states were secured and are currently maintained. Further claims were received for C. difficile spores and h1n1, in addition to registration with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration as a disinfectant medical device (Reg. #3012117386) and further addition of microbes to its efficacy with the EPA.
2017 & Beyond: Focus on Intellectual Property (IP) Rights
TOMI filed and received multiple design patents both domestically and abroad to further enhance its listing of IP. In July of 2017, TOMI was awarded rights to the iHP registered trademark. This was soon followed by TOMI’s approved BIT label to be distributed through its SteraMist product line in Canada. Additional trademark registrations, both word and logo marks, were filed and accepted in multiple countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. As the customer base expands and manufacturing demands increase, the TOMI commitment to ongoing research and development efforts remains constant.