Cambridge’s Papworth Hospital Pilots Steriwave
Summary by AI BETAClose X
2 October 2025
ONDINE BIOMEDICAL INC.
("Ondine Biomedical", "Ondine" or the "Company")
Cambridge's Papworth Hospital Pilots Steriwave
Royal Papworth Hospital Pilots Steriwave to Advance Patient Safety in Complex Cardiac Surgeries
Ondine Biomedical Inc. (AIM: OBI) announces that the Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, one of the world's foremost cardiothoracic centres, is launching a pilot program with Steriwave® nasal photodisinfection therapy. Developed in collaboration with Ondine's distribution partner, Mölnlycke Health Care, a global provider of medical solutions, this strategic initiative aims to enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes by addressing the critical challenge of surgical site infections (SSIs) amid rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Royal Papworth Hospital's decision to pilot Steriwave places it among a growing list of internationally recognized cardiac centres that are adopting universal pre-surgical nasal photodisinfection protocols. Canada's Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, an early adopter, found a 32% reduction in cardiac SSIs over mupirocin nasal decolonisation protocols.
The Royal Papworth pilot will integrate Steriwave into cardiac surgical care pathways as part of a broader strategy to reduce patient microbial burden-specifically in the nose-prior to surgery to help prevent infections. The nose is a known reservoir for multidrug resistant bacteria, viruses and fungi that are easily transmitted and have been identified as a major source of post-surgical infections. Steriwave is a rapid, non-antibiotic nasal decolonisation technology that does not induce resistance. It has been deployed in infection prevention protocols at hospitals internationally to address the global rise in multidrug resistant infection. In vitro studies presented at ICPIC 2022 and 2023 demonstrated 99.99% kill rates against key pathogens associated with surgical site infections, including extensively drug-resistant (XDR) gram-negative bacteria and ESKAPE organisms such as MRSA, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ICPIC, 2022 and 2023) and 99.9% for Candidozyma auris, the deadly fungus of growing concern to all hospitals.
Royal Papworth Hospital is widely considered one of the world's leading centres for cardiac and cardiothoracic care. Renowned for its excellence, the hospital was recognized by Newsweek magazine in 2019 as one of the "World's Best Specialized Hospitals." As the UK's largest specialist cardiothoracic hospital, it consistently performs more heart and lung transplants than any other facility in the country and serves as a national and international referral centre for highly specialized procedures. Its strong partnership with the University of Cambridge, particularly through the Heart and Lung Research Institute, positions it at the forefront of cardiovascular and respiratory research.
Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine Biomedical:
"Royal Papworth has long been at the forefront of cardiothoracic innovation, and we are honoured to support their leadership in advancing infection prevention. This pilot underscores our shared commitment to protecting vulnerable patients while addressing the urgent global challenge of antimicrobial resistance."
About Steriwave and its Mode of Action
Steriwave nasal photodisinfection is a non-invasive and painless treatment that uses a proprietary light-activated photosensitive agent to destroy harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi-including antibiotic-resistant strains-in the nasal passages. The procedure takes five minutes and, unlike antibiotics, is effective immediately and allows the normal nasal microbiome to recover quickly, without fostering antimicrobial resistance.
The two-step process involves applying the Steriwave formulation in the nostrils where it electrostatically binds to microbes rather than human cells. The area is then illuminated with safe red light to activate the formulation, triggering an oxidative burst that physically destroys all manner of pathogens within minutes. This rapid and overwhelming oxidative stress makes it extremely difficult for pathogens to develop resistance, and the process stops immediately once the light is turned off.
About Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Papworth Hospital, located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital. It is internationally renowned for excellence in cardiothoracic surgery, transplant, and respiratory medicine. A designated major teaching hospital and a key national referral centre, it plays a vital role in both clinical care and medical research. Its relationship with the University of Cambridge as a key partner in Cambridge University Health Partners (CUHP) strengthens this mission, as this collaborative ecosystem is dedicated to translating groundbreaking research into tangible benefits for patients.
Enquiries:
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Ondine Biomedical Inc. |
www.ondinebio.com |
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Carolyn Cross, CEO |
+1 604 669 0555 |
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Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Joint Financial Adviser) |
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James Harris, Richard Johnson |
+44 (0)20 7409 3494 |
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Peel Hunt LLP (Broker & Joint Financial Adviser) |
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James Steel, Dr. Chris Golden |
+44 (0)20 7418 8900 |
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Vane Percy & Roberts (Media Contact) |
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Simon Vane Percy |
+44 (0)77 1000 5910 |
About Mölnlycke Health Care
Mölnlycke Health Care is a world-leading MedTech company that specialises in innovative solutions for wound care and surgical procedures. Mölnlycke products and solutions are used daily by hospitals, health care providers and patients in over 100 countries around the world. Founded in 1849, Mölnlycke is owned by Investor AB and headquartered in Sweden. www.molnlycke.com
About Ondine Biomedical Inc.
Ondine Biomedical Inc. is a Canadian life sciences company and leader in light-activated antimicrobial therapies ('photodisinfection') for the prevention and treatment of infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. Ondine has a pipeline of investigational products, based on its proprietary photodisinfection technology, in various stages of development.
Ondine's Steriwave photodisinfection system has a CE mark in Europe and is approved for nasal decolonisation in Canada, Australia, Mexico and several other countries under the name Steriwave®. In the US, it has been granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation and Fast Track status by the FDA and is currently undergoing clinical trials for regulatory approval. Products beyond nasal photodisinfection include therapies for a variety of medical indications such as chronic sinusitis, ventilator-associated pneumonia, burns and other indications.
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