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.”
