Ondine Biomedical Inc., a prominent innovator in the field of light-activated antimicrobial technology for hospital infection prevention and treatment, announced an impressive milestone. Steriwave® nasal decolonization, netted by Ondine Biomedical, is now operational across all of British Columbia’s five health authorities.
The University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC), a central hub renowned for specialized surgical care in Northern BC, initiated the use of Steriwave for treating patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasties on August 21, 2024. Consequently, Steriwave’s adoption now spans across all five of British Columbia’s health authorities, reinforcing Ondine’s growing dominance in the Canadian healthcare system.
Ondine’s CEO, Carolyn Cross, articulated the company’s mission as leveraging their non-resistance-forming photodisinfection technology in hospitals to shield patients and health care providers from the increasing threats of multidrug resistance and other emerging health predicaments. Cross emphasized the key role played by Steriwave, a five-minute treatment designed to remove nasal pathogens – a frequent source of numerous hospital-acquired infections.
Canadian healthcare units using Steriwave have reported encouraging results, including reduced surgical site infections, diminished antibiotic use, shortened hospital stays, and lower mortality rates. In addition, Steriwave has accumulated accolades due to reduced respiratory infections, cost savings, and significant levels of compliance and satisfaction from both patients and clinicians.
Steriwave, a non-invasive, light-activated antimicrobial treatment, has demonstrated clinical prowess in minimizing pathogens in the nasal passages, thereby lowering the risk of hospital-acquired infections. Due to its rapid action, Steriwave prevents the development of resistance in pathogens, posing as an effective alternative to antibiotics. It proved to be highly effective against both moderately drug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens in a 2023 study.
Ondine Biomedical Inc., a clinical Canadian life sciences company, is a pioneer in the niche of light-activated antimicrobial therapies, commonly known as photodisinfection. Their pipeline of investigational products lines up enticing solutions grounded in their proprietary photodisinfection technology, at various stages of development. Their nasal photodisinfection system secured a CE mark in Europe and the UK and won approval in Canada and several other countries, denominated as Steriwave®.
The Steriwave nasal photodisinfection system, patented by Ondine, uses a proprietary light-activated antimicrobial (photosensitizer) to eradicate bacteria, viruses, and fungi colonizing the nose. The photosensitizer is activated by a certain wavelength of red laser light, causing an oxidative burst that effectively eliminates all types of pathogens without long-term adverse effects on the nasal microbiome.