Steriwave in first Swiss hospital

Switzerland's University Hospital Zurich undertakes independent research study on Steriwave for preoperative nasal decolonization

Ondine Biomedical Inc. (LON: OBI) reports that University Hospital Zurich (USZ) has initiated an independent clinical study evaluating Steriwave®. This marks the first Swiss deployment of Ondine's nasal decolonization technology to combat surgical site infections (SSI).

The study, titled "Preoperative Microbial Reduction of the Nasal Cavity with Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT)," is led by Professor Dr. Harald Essig, Head of the Department of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery at USZ. This research will assess the efficacy of Steriwave in rapidly reducing preoperative nasal microbial burden - a key factor in SSI rates and hospital length of stay.

"Reducing post-surgical infections remains a top priority in Cranio-Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery, particularly in high-risk procedures," said Dr. Essig. "This study allows us to evaluate a novel, fast-acting approach to nasal decolonization that could represent a meaningful advancement in infection prevention."

Steriwave antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is a light-activated antimicrobial with ultra-fast efficacy that destroys a broad spectrum of pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant strains. This innovative technology is used to sanitize the nasal cavity, a primary reservoir for bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can lead to SSIs and hospital-acquired infections (HAI), particularly in high-risk surgical procedures. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on repeat doses of topical antibiotics and take days to take effect, Steriwave works immediately with a single, five-minute treatment, making it an ideal solution for preoperative nasal decolonization.

The USZ study builds on extensive clinical use in Canada and the UK which have established that Steriwave enhances patient safety as well as combatting antimicrobial resistance.

Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine Biomedical, stated:

"Ondine Biomedical is proud to collaborate with the distinguished research team at University Hospital Zurich, where there is a strong and well-established history of researching aPDT. We appreciate their initiation of this study, and are confident the findings will further validate Steriwave's ability to rapidly and safely reduce pathogens associated with HAI. Deploying Steriwave at USZ is another important step in our mission to provide innovative, broad-spectrum solutions for infection prevention and to address the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance."

University Hospital Zurich is a leading medical center in Switzerland, renowned for its comprehensive healthcare services and cutting-edge research, including in the field of photodynamic therapy. The Department of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery at USZ specializes in the diagnosis, surgical treatment, and rehabilitation of complex conditions involving the facial skeleton, jaws, and oral cavity. Its clinical focus lies in restoring both function and aesthetics through advanced reconstructive techniques, trauma care, and oncologic surgery. In parallel, the clinic engages in cutting-edge research on inflammatory diseases and osteomyelitis of the craniofacial bones, with a particular emphasis on innovative treatment approaches that operate independently of conventional antibiotic strategies such as Photodynamic Inactivation. Further research priorities include the development and clinical application of bioactive ceramics for bone regeneration, the use of computer-assisted surgical procedures with patient-specific implants, and novel strategies for the early detection and treatment of oral and maxillofacial cancers.

About Ondine Biomedical Inc.

About Steriwave® Nasal Photodisinfection

Steriwave is an innovative antimicrobial treatment that rapidly eliminates a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Using a proprietary, light-activated antimicrobial agent, Steriwave works in a simple two-step process: the agent is first applied to the nostrils with a nasal swab, then activated by a specific wavelength of red light. This activation triggers an oxidative burst that destroys pathogens within a single five-minute treatment-providing offering a robust alternative to traditional antibiotics without the risk of developing resistance.