Canadian life sciences company Ondine Biomedical Inc (AIM: OBI) on Monday reported new data from University College London (UCL) demonstrating the potent efficacy of its Steriwave photodisinfection technology against the Mucor fungus. The findings were presented at the 19th World Congress of the International Photodynamic Association in Shanghai.

Mucor fungal infections, which carry mortality rates exceeding 50% among immunocompromised patients, such as bone marrow transplant recipients, are notoriously difficult to treat with existing therapies. UCL research showed that Steriwave completely inhibited Mucor growth in vitro with short treatment times and enhanced the activity of antifungal drugs such as azoles, supporting a combined topical and systemic treatment approach.

Steriwave offers effective nasal decolonisation of Mucor and other fungal pathogens, reducing patient risk and improving outcomes, particularly in hospital settings where such pathogens contribute to surgical site and healthcare-associated infections. The technology is already deployed in hospitals across Canada and the UK and holds regulatory approvals in Europe, Canada, Australia, Mexico and other markets. In the US, it has Qualified Infectious Disease Product and Fast Track status from the FDA and is undergoing clinical trials.

Ondine is developing a pipeline of light-activated antimicrobial therapies targeting multidrug-resistant infections, with additional investigational products in areas such as chronic sinusitis, ventilator-associated pneumonia and burns.