The global collaboration is for fostering a better tomorrow 

Made-in-India face mask & athleisure clothing will be the first offering to be launched under this collaboration

inStem is an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India

Mumbai,4^th December 2020 (GPN): – Van Heusen, India’s leading power dressing brand from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd., has entered into a collaborative agreement with Color Threads Inc. to launch inStem’s ‘G-Fab’ Technology in India. Through this collaboration Van Heusen is launching a premium quality Made-in-India mask & athleisure clothing powered by G99+ antiviral™ to meet the current demands of the new-age consumer. The mask & athleisure products are manufactured using the ‘G-Fab Technology’ licensed from inStem; an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology and further developed by Color Threads Inc. The technology has been developed at Dr. Praveen Kumar Vemula’s lab at inStem.

inStem is the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The current situation augers the need to emphasize on ‘Make in India’, and supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative of Government of India. 

Color Threads is an incubatee at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP). C-CAMP an initiative supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India is an enabler or catalyst of cutting-edge research and innovation in India

Van Heusen Mask powered by G99+ antiviral™ is manufactured using inStem’s Germicidal fabric technology which reduces >90% and 99.99% of **SARS-CoV-2 virus infectivity in 5 and 15 minutes, respectively. *When the virus comes in contact with the fabric, the treatment reduces the viral load of SARS-CoV-2, which is tested under lab conditions as per modified ISO 18184 protocol at an independent biotechnology research laboratory, an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. **It is known that SARS-CoV-2 virus is responsible for COVID-19. The mask is washable and reusable up to 30 washes subject to wash care instructions being followed.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Puneet Kumar Malik, CEO, Van Heusen Innerwear and Athleisure said, “We are delighted to be associated with institutes that are working towards creating solutions in the fight against the pandemic that the world is tackling. Contemplating the unprecedented times that we are encountering, our primary line of defense is taking necessary preventive measures, one of which includes wearing masks while stepping out. Through our association, we intend to introduce a face mask which has become a necessity in our lives. Van Heusen Mask powered by G99+ antiviral™ offers quality, comfort, and affordability. This will also be followed with the launch of athleisure wear for men & women which are powered by G99+ antiviral™ that offer protection, style & comfort.”

Technology inventor Dr. Praveen Kumar Vemula, Associate Investigator at inStem said, “Wearing a mask is proven to be effective in curbing the virus spread. However, viruses and bacteria can stay alive up to seven days on regular masks, including cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks, which risk infection while touching the mask. Therefore, at inStem and Bangalore Life Sciences Cluster, as a part of our effort to curb the current pandemic situation, we have developed Germicidal Fabric, G-Fab, which enables killing the viruses upon contact.”   

Ms. Roshni Lelani, Chief Business Officer of Color Threads said, “We are an innovative textile company that unites science and fashion to make the impact on society. As a part of our effort to tackle the pandemic crisis, Color Threads has licensed the G-fab technology from inStem, and further refined and developed into a market-ready-solution. We are delighted to partner with ABFRL to bring G-fab technology into the market through ABFRL’s massive network.”    

Van Heusen Mask powered by G99+ antiviral™ is available in a free size. The brand is offering the mask for both men and women with special packaging.

The brand will be deploying its strong and wide retail presence of 19,000+ multi brand retailers, 500+ Key Department Stores, 260 Planet Fashion stores, 350+ Van Heusen Mainline stores, 46 exclusive Van Heusen Innerwear stores, and Key E-Commerce platforms to ensure that the masks & athleisure clothing are available to consumers across the country. ENDS

About Van Heusen:

Van Heusen is India’s No. 1 premium lifestyle brand for professionals. With a rich heritage of 128 years in United States of America, the brand entered India in 1990. Over a period of its 25 years of history in India, Van Heusen has emerged as a fashion authority for the ever-evolving Indian consumer and has established itself as the one stop destination for the latest trends. Today, Van Heusen is not only the most preferred work wear brand, but also effortlessly straddles across the entire spectrum of occasions like casuals, ceremonial and party wear.

About ABFRL:

ABFRL is a part of USD 48.3 billion Aditya Birla Group. With revenue of Rs. 8,788 cr. spanning retail space of 8.1 million sq. ft. (as on March 31, 2020), it is India’s first billion-dollar pure-play fashion powerhouse with an elegant bouquet of leading fashion brands and retail formats.

The Company has a network of 3,031 stores, presence across approximately 25,000 multi-brand outlets with 6,500+ point of sales in department stores across India.

It has a repertoire of leading brands such as Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter England established for over 25 years. Pantaloons is one of India’s largest fast fashion store brand. 

The Company also holds exclusive online and offline rights to the India network of California-based fast fashion brand Forever 21. The International Brands portfolio boasts of – The Collective, India’s largest multi-brand retailer of international brands, Simon Carter and select mono-brands such as American Eagle, Ralph Lauren, Hackett London, Ted Baker and Fred Perry.

Van Heusen Innerwear, Athleisure and Active wear is establishing itself as India’s most innovative and fashionable brand.  Additionally, the company closed two strategic investments in branded ethnic wear business with Jaypore and Shantanu & Nikhil.

MARATHI

कलर थ्रेड्स आयएनसीच्या सहयोगाने व्हॅन ह्यूसेनने करुन दिला इनस्टेम्स ’जी–फॅब’ नावाच्या भारतातल्या नवीन तंत्रज्ञानाचा परिचय

• अधिक चांगल्या भविष्याला चालना देण्यासाठी केलेला जागतीक सहयोग
• भारतीय बनावटीचे फेस मास्क आणि एथलीशर वेअरची या सहयोगाच्या अंतर्गत प्रथम ओळख करुन देण्यात येईल
• इनस्टेम ही भारत सरकारच्या जैवतंत्रज्ञान विभागाची स्वायत्त संस्था आहे

मुंबई; 4 डिसेंबर  2020: – अदित्य बिर्ला फॅशन आणि रिटेल लि.चा आघाडीचा ड्रेसिंग ब्रॅड असलेल्या व्हॅन ह्यूसेनने भारतात इनस्टेमच्या ’जी-फॅब’ तंत्रज्ञानाची ओळख करुन देण्याच्या दृष्टीने कलर थ्रेड्स आयएनसीसोबत सहयोगात्मक करार केला आहे. या सहयोगामार्फत व्हॅन ह्यूसेन प्रिमियम दर्जाचे भारतीय बनावटीचे मास्क आणि एथलीशर क्लॉथिंग, म्हणजे व्यायामासाठी रोज घालता येण्यायोग्य कपड्यांचा परिचय करुन देणार आहे, ही उत्पादने नवीन युगातल्या ग्राहकांच्या वर्तमान गरजांना पूर्ण करण्यासाठी G99+ एंटीवायरल™ने सक्षम आहेत. ’जी-फॅब तंत्रज्ञानाचा’ वापर करुन तयार करण्यात आलेले मास्क आणि एथलीशर क्लॉथिंग इनस्टेमकडून परवानाप्राप्त आहेत. इनस्टेम ही जैवतंत्रज्ञान विभागाची एक ऑटोनॉमस संस्था असून जिला कलर थ्रेड्स इंक पुढे विकसीत केले आहे. या तंत्रज्ञानाला इनस्टेममध्ये डॉ. प्रवीण कुमार वेम्युलांच्या प्रयोगशाळेत विकासीत करण्यात आले आहे.  

स्टेमसेल आणि पुनरुत्पादन चिकित्सा संस्था म्हणजेच स्टेमसेल, भारत सरकारच्या जैवतंत्रज्ञान विभागाची एक स्वायत्त संस्था आहे. वर्तमान स्थितीत ’मेक इन इंडिया’ आणि  आत्मनिर्भर भारत या भारत सरकारच्या उपक्रमांना समर्थन करण्यावर जोर देणे आवश्यक आहे.

कलर थ्रेड्स हे सेल्युलर आणि मोलेक्युलर मंच (C-CAMP) केंद्र परिसरातील एक उपक्रम आहे. C-CAMP उपक्रमाला भारत सरकारच्या जैवतंत्रज्ञान विभागाचे समर्थन लाभले असून तो भारतामध्ये आधुनिक संशोधन आणि नवीनतमतेला सक्षम करणा-या घटकाची किंवा उत्प्रेरकाची भूमिका पार पाडत आहे. 

G99+ एंटीवायरल™ने सबळता मिळालेल्या व्हॅन ह्यूसेन मास्कची निर्मिती इनस्टेमच्या जर्मेसाइडल फेब्रिक तंत्रज्ञानाचा वापर करुन करण्यात आली आहे, ज्यामुळे **SARS-CoV-2 विषाणूचे संक्रमण 5-15 मिनीटांमध्ये अनुक्रमे >90% and 99.99% कमी होते. *जेव्हा विषाणू कापडाच्या संपर्कामध्ये येतो तेव्हा, त्याचा उपचार SARS-CoV-2चा वायरल भार कमी करतो, ज्याची भारत सरकारच्या जैव तंत्रज्ञान विभागाच्या स्वायत्त संस्थेच्या एका स्वतंत्र जैवतंत्रज्ञान प्रयोगशाळेमध्ये, ISO 18184 च्या सुधारीत प्रोटोकॉलच्या अंतर्गत निर्धारीत स्थितीत चाचणी घेण्यात आली आहे. ** SARS-CoV-2 विषाणूमुळे कोविड-19 होतो हे आता सर्वश्रुत आहे. हा मास्क धुता येतो आणि धुण्याच्या सूचनांचे पालन केल्यास त्याला 30 धुण्यांपर्यंत पुन्हा वापरता येऊ शकते. 

या परिचयाबद्दल बोलताना व्हॅन ह्यूसेन इनरवेअर आणि ऍथ्लेजरचे सीइओ श्री पुनीत कुमार मलिक म्हणाले, “आम्हाला सध्या जागतीक समस्या बनलेल्या या महामारीविरुध्द समाधान शोधणा-या संस्थेसोबत सहयोग केल्याचा अतिशय आनंद होत आहे. आपण सर्वच सामना करत असलेल्या या आपदेबद्दल विचार करताना, आवश्यक ते निवारणात्मक उपाय करण्याला आम्ही प्राधान्य देत असून, बाहेर पडताना वापरले जाणारे मास्क हा त्यात समाविष्ट असलेल्या घटकांपैकी एक आहे. आमच्या सहयोगामार्फत आपल्या जीवनाची गरज बनलेल्या फेसमास्कची ओळख करुन देणे हा आमचा उद्देश आहे. व्हॅन ह्यूसेनचे मास्क G99+ एंटीवायरल ™ने सक्षम असून ते दर्जा, सहजता आणि माफकपणा देतात. आम्ही पुरुष व स्त्रियांसाठी सुरक्षा, स्टाइल तसेच आराम देणा-या G99+ एंटीवायरल™ सक्षम एथलीशर वेअरची देखील ओळख करुन देणार आहोत.”  

तंत्रज्ञानाचे शिल्पकार डॉ. प्रवीण कुमार वेमुला, इनस्टेमचे सहयोगी इनवेस्टिगेटर म्हणाले. “विषाणूचा प्रसारावर नियंत्रण मिळवण्यासाठी मास्क घालणे अतिशय परिणामकारक सिध्द झाले आहे. परंतु, विषाणू आणि जीवाणू सर्वसामान्य मास्कवर सात दिवसांपर्यंत जीवंत राहू शकतात, ज्यात कापडी, सर्जिकल मास्क आणि N95 मास्क सारख्या नेहमी वापरल्या जाणा-या मास्कचा समावेश होतो.