Ondine Biomedical upbeat on photodisinfection study

The AIM-traded firm said the results of the study suggested that photodisinfection could be used as an effective treatment method for PJIs, replacing current, more invasive approaches and potentially shortening antibiotic treatment.

It said that would both improve quality of life for patients, and also reduce morbidity, mortality, antibiotic resistance, and the high healthcare costs associated with treating such infections.

The company said the in vitro study, conducted by a research team from University Hospital Zurich, found that photodisinfection achieved 100% kill of the key pathogens in biofilms associated with PJIs.

They included the ESKAPE pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and also Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Cutibacterium acnes, with no regrowth.

The photodisinfection treatment did not cause any relevant surface modification on any of the different prosthesis materials, suggesting that the therapy did not harm the material and would be safe to use in vivo.

“This is the first study to show that photodisinfection, also known as photodynamic therapy, could be an effective novel treatment for periprosthetic joint infections,” said Dr Yvonne Achermann, lead author and senior physician for internal medicine and infectious diseases at Zollikerberg Hospital.

“This is particularly exciting as it provides a much-needed alternative to antibiotics as resistance in biofilm-forming bacteria continues to grow.

“We - the research team at University Hospital Zurich - are planning a clinical safety study to further explore the potential of photodisinfection to treat and even prevent PJIs.”

At the close on Tuesday, shares in Ondine Biomedical were down 1.96% at 17.5p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.