
14 July 2025
ONDINE BIOMEDICAL INC.
("Ondine Biomedical", "Ondine" or the "Company")
Growing Use of Steriwave Across Surgery Types
Ondine Biomedical Inc. (AIM: OBI) reports increasing clinical adoption of its light-activated antimicrobial therapy, Steriwave®, across a broad range of surgical specialities in hospitals throughout the UK and Canada to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs).
Hospitals are now routinely implementing Steriwave nasal decolonisation prior to major surgeries - including cardiac, orthopaedic, neurosurgical, ENT, spinal, and cosmetic procedures - as awareness grows of its effectiveness in reducing SSIs.
SSIs remain a significant concern in surgical care, contributing to approximately 3% mortality,[1] extended hospital stays averaging nearly 10 additional days.[2] A comprehensive study in Alberta, Canada, found that complex SSIs following hip and knee replacements can cost hospitals up to CA$95,000 per case and pose serious health risks for patients.[3]
The patient's nasal passages are a significant source of post-surgical infections, with studies indicating that up to 69% of SSIs originate from pathogens that can colonise the nose.[4][5]-[6] Leading health authorities, including the CDC, WHO, and SHEA, strongly recommend pre-operative nasal decolonisation as an effective strategy to lower the risk of infection. Steriwave offers a cutting-edge, light-activated antimicrobial therapy designed to eliminate these nasal pathogens, thereby enhancing patient safety and surgical outcomes.
Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine, commented:
"It's encouraging to see Steriwave gaining recognition across such a wide range of surgical specialties. In contrast to mupirocin - the current standard for nasal decolonisation despite its limited bacterial spectrum and rising resistance - Steriwave offers a fast-acting, resistance-free alternative that is effective across nasal pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. In some hospitals, mupirocin resistance exceeds 70%, underscoring the urgent need for more versatile and reliable infection prevention tools like Steriwave."
Steriwave is a non-invasive, painless nasal treatment that uses a proprietary photosensitive agent activated by red light to destroy harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The procedure takes five minutes, is effective immediately, and allows the normal nasal microbiome to recover quickly, without fostering antimicrobial resistance.
Steriwave is actively utilized in hospitals across Canada, including more than half of the country's ten largest hospitals, as well as several prominent NHS Trusts in the UK. In the United States, the technology is currently undergoing a Phase 3 clinical trial in collaboration with HCA Healthcare, the nation's largest private healthcare group. This study aims to secure FDA marketing approval, further expanding Steriwave's reach and impact.
Enquiries:
Ondine Biomedical Inc. | www.ondinebio.com |
Carolyn Cross, CEO | +1 604 669 0555 |
Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser) | |
James Harris, Richard Johnson | +44 (0)20 7409 3494 |
| |
Peel Hunt LLP (Broker & Joint Financial Advisor) | |
James Steel, Dr. Chris Golden | +44 (0)20 7418 8900 |
| |
Vane Percy & Roberts (Media Contact) | |
Simon Vane Percy | +44 (0)77 1000 5910 |
About Ondine Biomedical Inc.
Ondine Biomedical Inc. is a Canadian life sciences company and leader in light-activated antimicrobial therapies ('photodisinfection') for the prevention and treatment of infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. Ondine has a pipeline of investigational products, based on its proprietary photodisinfection technology, in various stages of development.
Ondine's nasal photodisinfection system has a CE mark in Europe and is approved in Canada, Australia, Mexico and several other countries under the name Steriwave®. In the US, it has been granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation and Fast Track status by the FDA and is currently undergoing clinical trials for regulatory approval. Products beyond nasal photodisinfection include therapies for a variety of medical indications such as chronic sinusitis, ventilator-associated pneumonia, burns and other indications.
[1] Umscheid CA, et al. Estimating the proportion of healthcare-associated infections that are reasonably preventable and the related mortality and costs. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 2011;32(2):101-114. (link)
[2] Anderson DJ, et al. Strategies to Prevent Surgical Site Infections in Acute Care Hospitals: 2014 Update. Infect. Control. Hosp. Epidemiol. 2014;35:605-627. (link)
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