Ondine Biomedical Inc on Monday said researchers from University College London found its Steriwave photodisinfection technology to be effective in killing the Mucor fungus, which can cause fatal infections in vulnerable hospital patients.
The data was presented at the 19th World Congress of the International Photodynamic Association in Shanghai.
Mucor, which causes mucormycosis, poses a serious risk to immunocompromised patients such as those undergoing bone marrow transplants. Mortality rates for mucormycosis often exceed 50%, and existing treatments are limited, often involving toxic antifungals and aggressive surgery.
According to UCL’s Colin Hopper and Aashvi Joshi, Steriwave ‘rapidly and safely’ decolonised the nose of fungal pathogens in vitro. The researchers said this represents a ‘major advance’ in infection prevention and could be deployed affordably in hospitals.
The study also showed that Steriwave enhanced the activity of existing antifungals like azoles, suggesting potential for combined topical and systemic treatment strategies.
Steriwave is already in use in hospitals in the UK and Canada to prevent surgical site and healthcare-associated infections. Ondine said the findings strengthen the case for broader adoption of the technology amid rising concerns over drug-resistant infections.
Ondine shares were 4.6% higher at 9.41 pence in London on Monday afternoon.
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