Vancouver-based firm, Ondine Biomedical, has made substantial strides in the biomedical realm, and its groundbreaking nasal photodisinfection technology has received notable recognition. The revolutionary solution has been nominated in the biomedical category of the 2024 SPIE Prism Awards, which are globally respected for acknowledging innovation in the field of photonics.
Ondine’s nasal photodisinfection technology has been instrumental in reducing hospital acquired infections, offering a new way to combat microbial threats. The treatment uses a photosensitive agent in conjunction with a specific type of non-UV red laser light. Within minutes, this powerful combination can eradicate a wide selection of microbes, inclusive of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Remarkably, the technology achieves this without fostering resistance in these microorganisms.
The treatment is non-invasive and lasts roughly five minutes. The photosensitive agent, when partnered with the aforementioned light, incites photoreactions that give rise to reactive oxygen species, lethal to an inclusive range of microbes. Unlike antibiotics, this technology does not contribute to the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making it a potential game-changer in the field of healthcare.
AMR is a grave public health concern, with reported fatalities exceeding a million in 2019 alone. Predictions suggest that by 2050, AMR could cause up to 10 million deaths globally each year. Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine, points out the urgency of identifying viable alternatives to antibiotics as the human race is rapidly approaching a scenario where otherwise inconsequential infections could prove lethal.
Beyond its potential against AMR, nasal photodisinfection technology has also found prominence in preventing healthcare-associated infections following surgeries across hospitals in Canada, Europe, and Mexico. Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections, bearing a considerable cost on healthcare systems and patients. A single infection stemming from a prosthetic hip or knee operation could cost upwards of $100,000. The Steriwave solution significantly improves post-operation outcomes by reducing infection rates, patient recovery time, instances of rehospitalization, antibiotic prescription rates, and overall healthcare expenses.
Ondine’s photodisinfection technology also shows promise in treating chronic rhinosinusitis, sanitizing burns and wounds, and cleaning endotracheal tubes to lower the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. In a proof-of-concept study, the technology effectively eradicated pathogens typically present on hard surfaces in meat processing units, as well as pathogens directly found on fresh-cut meats.
The SPIE CEO, Kent Rochford, has praised the positive impact that transformative technologies like Ondine’s nasal photodisinfection have on society. The SPIE Prism Awards offer a valuable platform to acknowledge the monumental contributions these advancements make toward a healthier and safer world.