Ondine Biomedical Inc., a Canadian life sciences company at the forefront of developing light-activated antimicrobial treatments, recently announced an exciting breakthrough. Its revolutionary product, Steriwave®, which utilizes nasal photodisinfection, is now available through the NHS Supply Chain in England and Wales. This important development marks a significant milestone – the first time an antimicrobial treatment activated by light has become available through the NHS Supply Chain, the renowned body responsible for streamlining the sourcing, delivery, and procurement of healthcare products for the NHS and other healthcare organizations.
Steriwave® is an innovative product that eradicates infection-causing pathogens quickly and efficiently, without fostering antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is intended as a superior alternative to the traditional antibiotic mupirocin, often used to cleanse the nasal passages and prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) but known to contribute to high levels of AMR and suffers from low patient compliance.
Earlier this year, Steriwave® was adopted as a standard precaution for hip and knee surgery patients at the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, making it the first instance of commercial adoption in the UK. The aim was to significantly reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) – a prevalent issue affecting one in 20 NHS surgical patients – which could have a severely detrimental impact on both patients and their families.
Dr. Stuart Bond, a Consultant Antimicrobial Pharmacist and Director of Innovation at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, termed the development as a pivotal step towards broadening Steriwave® usage across the trust. He emphasized the product’s capacity to improve patient experiences and minimize SSI probabilities.
The adoption of Steriwave® followed proven successful deployments at Pontefract and Pinderfields NHS Hospitals. In addition to this, Ondine Biomedical Inc. is also partnering with Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust and Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber to sponsor an analysis of health economics with the York Health Economics Consortium (YHEC). The results of this study, which is set to be released later this year, will serve as supportive evidence in advocating the wider adoption of Steriwave® across the NHS and its usage in other surgical applications.
This state-of-the-art technology works by incorporating a proprietary photosensitive microbial stain and activating red light to destroy nasal pathogens in just one five-minute treatment, without engendering AMR. Steriwave® has been proven, via peer-reviewed studies and over 150,000 treatments, to substantially decrease post-surgical infection rates without serious adverse events. This beneficial outcome not only ameliorates patient outcomes but also lessens antibiotic usage, conserves millions annually, and is strategically in step with recommendations from WHO and NICE that espouse the removal of harmful pathogens from nasal cavities before surgery as key to preventing SSIs.
Internationally, Ondine Biomedical Inc.’s nasal photodisinfection system, Steriwave®, holds approval in Europe, the UK, Canada, and several other countries. In the US, it has received the Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation and Fast Track status by the FDA and is presently undergoing clinical trials for regulatory approval.
In conclusion, Ondine Biomedical Inc.’s groundbreaking innovation, Steriwave®, promises a new direction for infection prevention in healthcare settings. With a host of proven benefits and a forward-thinking approach that addresses the critical issue of AMR, Steriwave® is poised to make a significant impact on the infection prevention landscape.