biz.yahoo.com
Ondine Accelerates its MRSA Nasal Decolonization Program Following reports of complete eradication in 5 patients without use of Antibiotics
Monday November 12, 12:38 pm ET
VANCOUVER, Nov. 12 /CNW/ - Ondine Biopharma Corporation (TSX: OBP; AIM: OBP) today announced plans to accelerate its MRSA nasal decolonization program, following reports of 5 consecutive cases of complete eradication in patients colonized with the potentially lethal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by an independent clinician. The company intends to initiate a clinical trial in the first quarter of 2008 in order to test next generation products which optimize its nasal decolonization product for ease of clinical use, market acceptance and which support future regulatory submissions for nares decolonization of MRSA.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ondine has received five case study reports demonstrating full eradication of MRSA in the anterior nares (lower nasal passage) without the use of antibiotics. The studies were carried out by an independent clinician, Dr. Herbert Friede, in Herborn, Germany using Ondine's photodisinfection system for nares decolonization. All treated patients continue to remain MRSA-negative at one month post-treatment. Microbiological assessments were conducted via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays before and after disinfection. No adverse events were noted in any patient.
"Staphylococcus aureus, once a relatively innocuous microbe, has now mutated into an extremely dangerous pathogen, in some cases demonstrating resistance to all known antibiotics," said Carolyn Cross, Ondine Biopharma's CEO and President. "Recent epidemiological surveys show that the prevalence of invasive MRSA infections in the US has doubled over the past 5 years, and the bacterium now causes more deaths in the US than AIDS. One in 20 will die of this infection. MRSA often colonizes the lower portion of the nose, from where it can be easily transmitted to patients, hospital visitors and healthcare workers. Disinfection of the nose in MRSA carriers is a key step in reducing the rate of these hospital-acquired infections. Our photodisinfection system will enable clinicians in Canada and the EU to provide a safe, effective, non-antibiotic alternative for nares disinfection, and does not encourage the resistance generation that is a hallmark of antibiotic therapy."
The Company's first photodisinfection product, Periowave(TM) has received regulatory clearance for several oral and nasal disinfection indications in Canada and the European Union. The nasal decolonization product is currently being optimized to improve efficacy, ease of clinical use and market acceptance prior to wide scale launch.
About Photodisinfection
Ondine has developed photodisinfection technologies that utilize low-intensity lasers and wavelength-specific, light-activated photosensitive compounds to target and destroy microbial pathogens and thereby reduce symptoms of disease. The Company's photodisinfection system is currently approved in Canada for nasal eradication of pathogenic bacteria such as MRSA and for oral treatment of periodontitis, gingivitis, peri-implantitis, peri-mucositis and endodontics. The system is also approved in the European Union for nasal eradication of MRSA, and for treatment of periodontitis, endodontics and peri-implantitis.
About Ondine Biopharma Corporation
Ondine is developing non-antibiotic therapies for the treatment of a broad spectrum of bacterial, fungal and viral infections. The Company is focused on creating and commercializing leading edge products utilizing its patented light-activated technology. Photodisinfection provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy without encouraging the formation and spread of antibiotic resistance. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with a research laboratory in Bothell, Washington, USA, and an international office in St. Michael, Barbados. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at: www.ondinebiopharma.com. |
