Ondine Biomedical Inc. (LON: OBI), a leading provider of light-activated antimicrobial technology to prevent and treat hospital infections, is pleased to announce that Steriwave® nasal decolonization is now being used in all five of British Columbia’s health authorities. This deployment signals Ondine’s increasingly strong presence across the Canadian healthcare system.

As of 21 August 2024, the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) in Prince George, a major hub for specialized surgical care in Northern BC, has begun using Steriwave to treat patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasties. With this deployment at UHNBC, Steriwave is now operational in all five of British Columbia’s health authorities: Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Vancouver Island Health, Interior Health, and Northern Health.

Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine Biomedical, commented:

“Our mission is to bring our non-resistance-forming photodisinfection technology into hospitals to safeguard patients and healthcare workers from the growing threat of multidrug resistance and other emerging health challenges. Steriwave, a simple five-minute treatment that removes nasal pathogens—the source of many hospital-acquired infections—plays a crucial role in this effort. The adoption of Steriwave by the largest hospital in northern British Columbia is a significant achievement for Ondine. We are proud to be working with all of BC’s health authorities to avoid infections and their associated human and financial costs.”

Canadian hospitals using Steriwave have reported reduced surgical site infections, decreased antibiotic use, shorter hospital stays, lower mortality rates, fewer respiratory infections, significant cost savings, with high levels of compliance and patient and clinician satisfaction.

Steriwave nasal photodisinfection is a non-invasive, light-activated antimicrobial treatment that has been clinically proven to reduce pathogens in the nasal passages, thereby lowering the risk of hospital-acquired infections. Steriwave’s rapid action prevents pathogens from developing resistance, offering an effective alternative to antibiotics. A 2023 study showed that Steriwave is highly effective (>99.99% kills in 20 seconds) against both moderately drug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens.