Ondine Biomedical has announced a research collaboration with the Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH) Foundation’s Advancing Innovation in Medicine (AIM) division to investigate the use of Steriwave in ICUs.
This research will look at the technology's impact on infection prevention and patient outcomes in critical care settings and initially involves a 320-patient pilot, with the potential for a subsequent multicentre trial with up to 2,000 patients, depending on the results of the initial phase.
The C$855,000 study will be funded by the RCH Foundation’s AIM division which will support the ICU clinical development work in a services-for-shares collaboration to help accelerate the use of photodisinfection in the ICU.
Royal Columbian Hospital, a hospital within BC’s Fraser Health Authority, will be the first to trial Ondine’s Steriwave nasal decolonisation technology to prevent infections in ICUs.
The study will be led by ICU physician Dr. Steven Reynolds and his research team at RCH. The purpose of this strategic initiative is to integrate Ondine’s Steriwave, a proven nasal decolonization therapy, into ICU infection control and workflow protocols to determine the impact of rapid broad spectrum nasal decolonisation on ICU infection rates, impact on length of stay and mortality rates.
Dr. Steven Reynolds, founder and executive lead of the RCH AIM division, stated, "By eradicating bacteria in the nose without harming the nasal epithelium, we can help prevent the rapid colonisation of ICU patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria. This is crucial because the nose is one of the primary reservoirs of bacteria that lead to serious infections, such as ventilator-associated and hospital-acquired pneumonia, both of which can be fatal. AIM is excited to partner with Ondine to rigorously evaluate nasal photodisinfection through ICU clinical trials, recognizing its potential as a promising intervention to reduce both costs and patient suffering."
This clinical work sets the stage to unlock the expansive global ICU market. Nasal decolonisation, relying on topical antibiotics which can lead to resistance, is already recognised as a key infection prevention strategy in the US having already demonstrated significant reductions in ICU infection rates in US hospitals.
Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine Biomedical, highlighted the strategic importance of the study, "Our collaboration with Dr. Reynolds and his team at RCH is an important strategic initiative accelerating our ability to address the needs of the critical care market. Steriwave has the potential to revolutionise infection control in critical care settings globally, and this study is key to demonstrating its impact."
