Breathing Easy: The Antiviral Technology That Could Change the Way You Work and Live
In Episode 230 of The Executive Edge podcast, I sit down with Gemma Borgert — a medical device specialist with over 20 years of industry experience and a deeply personal reason for championing this technology.
Gemma introduces the e4life personal, a groundbreaking portable antiviral device that uses electromagnetic waves to inactivate airborne viruses in real time. Whether you're protecting a vulnerable family member, supportingstaff reluctant to return to the office, or simply wanting an extra layer of defence against seasonal illness, this conversation will make you think differently about the air around you.
Product website: e4life.it/en
What’s in this episode
The story behind the e4life personal — how Gemma’s husband came across it at a medical conference in Germany, and why their own experience with cancer treatment made it deeply personal
How the technology works — the patented e4shield™ technology uses electromagnetic waves calibrated to specific frequencies that cause a virus’s outer capsid to resonate until it breaks, rendering it unable to infect (think of an opera singer shattering a wine glass — same principle)
The science behind it — independent testing by the Military Polyclinic of Rome, the University of Milan, New York University, and the EU Joint Research Centre, with results published in journals including Nature Scientific Reports and the Journal of Infection
The product range — three devices designed for different environments: the portable e4life personal, the room-based e4life ambient, and the e4life farm for livestock protection
The business case — the cost of absenteeism and presenteeism due to respiratory viruses is quantified at nearly £900 per employee per year, making this a compelling workplace investment
Real-world applications — offices, clinics, dental surgeries, opticians, hospitals, trains, aircraft, and beyond
How it compares to other solutions — unlike HEPA filters, which take 4–5 hours to disinfect a room, e4shield™ works instantly, with no filters to clean or replace
About the e4life Personal
One of the moments that really struck me when I first saw the e4life Personal was realising how relevant this device is not just for ourselves, but for the people we love. In my case, I decided to get one for my 93-year-old mother, who has scarring on her lungs from a previous illness and struggles whenever anything goes to her chest.
Gemma talks at length about the product on the show, but here’s what you essentially need to know:
The e4life personal is the flagship portable device — small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or handbag, weighing under 50 grams. It activates with a single click, charges overnight via a standard USB-C port, and runs for a full 8-hour working day. It connects to a free iOS and Android app via Bluetooth, letting you monitor battery status, update firmware, and manage sanitisation cycles.
Proven efficacy against:
H1N1 Influenza — 95% inactivation (including the 2024/25 strain)
SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 (including KP3 variant) — over 90% inactivation
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) — approximately 90% inactivation
The technology carries CE and SAR certifications, meaning it’s safe for use in operating theatres, laboratories, and around sensitive medical equipment. It has lower electromagnetic emissions than a standard mobile phone.
About the e4life Range
At present, the e4life comes in three “flavours”:
e4life personal — pocket-sized personal protection on the move. Ideal for public transport, offices, gyms, cinemas, theatres, and anywhere crowds gather. (~£300–£350, one-off cost, 4-year lifespan)
e4life ambient — a fixed wall-mounted unit that neutralises airborne viruses across spaces of up to 50 square metres. Maintenance-free, no filters, plug-in and go. Ideal for offices, clinics, waiting rooms, and schools. (~£800–£900, approximately 10-year lifespan)
e4life farm — designed for livestock environments, protecting animals and farm workers from avian and swine flu viruses in aerosols.
A “Large Spaces” model for conference centres, hotel lobbies, warehouses, and stations is currently in development.
The Company Behind the Technology
According to their brochure, e4life is a joint venture between Elettronica S.p.A. — one of Europe’s leading defence and electronic warfare companies — and Lendlease, the global real estate and infrastructure group. The technology was developed in collaboration with the Italian military, with research and validation conducted across more than a dozen universities and institutions in Italy, the UK, and the US. The science has been published in peer-reviewed journals including Nature, Applied Physics Reviews, and the Journal of Infection.
Key Takeaways from the show
According to Gemma:
The e4life personal is a one-off investment of approximately £300–£350, lasting four years — potentially cheaper than one disrupted trip abroad
No subscriptions, no consumables, no maintenance — just charge it like your phone
Flexible pricing is available for those who are most vulnerable, including payment plans and free trials
Available across Europe and internationally, including the US — CE and SAR certified
The technology is updatable — it can be recalibrated to target new virus variants as they emerge
Connect with Gemma Borgert
Website: gbhealthtech.co.uk — studies, data, promotional video, and contact form
Product website: e4life.it/en
Disclaimer
I’m not getting paid to talk about this product. I’m just very passionate about it, and how it can potentially help us. Remember: I’m not qualified to comment on the science or medical suitability of the product — just a business psychologist and podcaster who is very interested in what it can do. For proper guidance about the product, please contact Gemma or e4life.
