First patients recruited into Steriwave ICU pilot study

Ondine Biomedical, a global leader in light-activated antimicrobial technologies, is pleased to announce that patient recruitment has commenced in an intensive care unit (ICU) pilot study at Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH) in New Westminster, British Columbia. Treating patients in intensive care units (ICUs) with Ondine’s Steriwave^® nasal photodisinfection technology would significantly expand the market opportunity for Steriwave.

Infection prevention is a top priority in ICUs, where higher infection rates, critically ill patients, and bed capacity shortages create significant challenges. Unlike traditional antibiotics, Steriwave does not generate antimicrobial resistance. Already in use across Canada and in several UK NHS trusts before major surgery, this technology helps reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) by decolonizing the nose—a major reservoir of infection-causing pathogens.

The first patients were enrolled at RCH on 18 March 2025 for the four-month pilot involving approximately 400 ICU patients. This important study aims to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a larger safety and efficacy study of Steriwave in reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) among critically ill patients in the ICU. HAIs, often caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, represent a growing challenge to healthcare systems worldwide.

RCH, a level 1 trauma centre and one of the busiest in Canada, is the first to explore the use of Ondine's Steriwave nasal decolonization technology in ICUs. Conducted by ICU physician, Dr. Reynolds and his research team, this pilot study will evaluate how Steriwave can integrate into ICU infection control and workflow protocols and will make a preliminary assessment of its potential impact on infection rates, length of stay and patient mortality.

This Investigator-Initiated Study (IIS), first announced 25 September 2024, was designed by Dr. Stephen Reynolds in collaboration with the RCH Foundation’s Advancing Innovation in Medicine (AIM) division. Depending on the results, the pilot could pave the way for a larger multicentre trial involving up to 2,000 ICU patients.

Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine Biomedical, commented: "This trial represents a significant step forward in our mission to bring innovative infection prevention technologies to the most vulnerable patients. Partnering with Royal Columbian Hospital allows us to advance Steriwave’s potential as a game-changing technology in ICU infection prevention practices."

ICUs are often a hotbed for HAIs, with critically ill patients at heightened risk due to their compromised conditions and invasive procedures. In Canada alone, hundreds of thousands of ICU patients each year face a 12-13% risk of developing infections unrelated to their primary condition.[i]  

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has further complicated treatment, with resistance rates climbing to concerning levels. A landmark 2012 HCA Healthcare study involving nearly 75,000 ICU patients found that universal nasal decolonization using the antibiotic mupirocin reduced all-cause bloodstream infections by 44%.[ii] However, reliance on mupirocin is increasingly risky—not only due to resistance rates as high as 80%[iii] but also because its limited spectrum leaves patients vulnerable to pathogens it cannot address, underscoring the urgent need for innovative alternatives.

Ondine’s Steriwave is a non-invasive and painless treatment that uses a proprietary light-activated antimicrobial agent to destroy harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, in the nasal passages. The treatment is effective immediately, takes less than five minutes, and allows the normal nasal microbiome to recover swiftly. This groundbreaking approach offers a potentially life-saving solution for ICU patients, addressing a critical gap in infection prevention.

[i] Johnstone J, Garber G, Muller M. Health care-associated infections in Canadian hospitals: still a major problem. CMAJ. 2019 Sep 9;191(36):E977-E978. (link)

[ii] HCA Press Release: Studay at HCA Hospitals Shows "Universal Decolonization" of ICU Patients Reduces Bloodstream Infections by 44 Percent. 2012. (link)

[iii] Poovelikunnel T, Gethin G, Humphreys H. Mupirocin resistance: clinical implications and potential alternatives for the eradication of MRSA. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2015;70(10):2681-2692. (link)