RCS - Ondine Biomedical - Steriwave in Half of Fraser Health Hospitals

Ondine Biomedical

08/07/2025 10:21

RNS Number : 1867Q

Ondine Biomedical Inc.

08 July 2025

 

8 July 2025

ONDINE BIOMEDICAL INC.

("Ondine Biomedical", "Ondine" or the "Company")

Steriwave in Half of Fraser Health Hospitals

Ridge Meadows and Chilliwack General Hospitals to Deploy Steriwave® Nasal Photodisinfection for Pre-Surgical Decolonization

Ondine Biomedical Inc. (AIM: OBI) is pleased to announce that Ridge Meadows Hospital and Chilliwack General Hospital, both part of the Fraser Health Authority in British Columbia, are adopting Steriwave® nasal photodisinfection as a standard of care for pre-surgical nasal decolonization for orthopedic surgery patients. undergoing surgery. The adoption of Steriwave is a strategic response to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance in healthcare and the significant burden surgical site infections (SSIs) place on patients and the healthcare system.

Fraser Health is the largest of British Columbia's five regional health authorities, responsible for delivering care to over one-third of the province's population. With these latest hospital adoptions, Steriwave is in half of Fraser Health's hospitals performing major surgeries, reinforcing the growing momentum behind nasal photodisinfection across Canada's public health system.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) following major surgeries remain a serious concern, with approximately 3%  mortality [[1]], extended hospital stays averaging nearly 10 days [[2]], s. A comprehensive Alberta study found that complex SSIs after hip and knee surgeries can cost hospitals up to CA$95,000 per case and carry significant risks for patients.[[3]] The patient's own nose is a major source of hospital infections. Approximately 69% of SSIs are caused by pathogens colonizing the nasal passages.[[4][5]-[6]] Leading health authorities-including the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), WHO (World Health Organisation), and SHEA (Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America)-recommend nasal decolonization before major surgeries to reduce SSI risk.

Unlike topical nasal antibiotics such as mupirocin-which are increasingly limited by rising resistance and require multi-day patient adherence-Steriwave is a five-minute, light-activated antimicrobial therapy that destroys harmful nasal pathogens, including drug-resistant strains, without fostering resistance or relying on patient compliance. Steriwave has demonstrated more than 50% reduction in SSI rates, significantly improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital readmissions.

Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine, commented:

"We are proud to support Ridge Meadows Hospital and Chilliwack General Hospital-two respected centres of care within the Fraser Health Authority-as they take this important step forward in advancing surgical safety. Their adoption of Steriwave reflects a strong, proactive commitment to reducing surgical site infections and limiting the spread of antibiotic resistance. We commend their clinical leadership and dedication to innovation, and we look forward to working closely with their teams to enhance infection prevention."

Steriwave nasal photodisinfection involves applying a proprietary photosensitive agent to each nostril, followed by illumination with a specific wavelength of red light. This process destroys bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the nasal cavity immediately and without generating resistance, making it a powerful tool in the fight against healthcare-associated infections.

 

Enquiries:

Ondine Biomedical Inc.
www.ondinebio.com
Carolyn Cross, CEO
+1 604 669 0555
 or via Vane Percy & Roberts
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)

[[3]] Rennert-May ED, Conly J, Smith S, et al. The cost of managing complex surgical site infections following primary hip and knee arthroplasty: A population-based cohort study in Alberta, Canada. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2018;39(10):1183-1188. (link)

[[4]] CDC. HAI Pathogens and Antimicrob Resist Report, 2018-2021. (link)

[[5]] Nature. 2012;486:207-214. (link)

[[6]] Biomedicines. 2022 Dec 26;11(1):54. (link)

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