A subsidiary of cosmetics maker Shiseido Co. has announced it will launch a sterile mask in mid-November that uses an antibody filter to block any strain of the influenza virus.
The disposable Nanoblock Virus Cut Mask has an antibody filter that traps flu viruses and uses the antibody's binding action to hold 99.9 percent of the viruses it comes into contact with, FT Shiseido Co. said.
The company hopes to sell the masks to people who want to protect themselves from influenza viruses but have not been vaccinated.
The mask can also prevent influenza viruses from spreading through sneezes and coughs, the company said.
A set of seven masks will sell for 1,365 yen at some 3,000 pharmacies nationwide.
Shiseido hopes to sell 100,000 masks in the first three months.
