GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- M?lnlycke Health Care partners with Ondine for Steriwave distribution collaboration in the key markets of the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Gothenburg, Sweden 23 September 2024. M?lnlycke? Health Care, a world-leading MedTech company that specialises in innovative solutions for wound care and surgical procedures and Ondine Biomedical Inc. (LON: OBI), a Canadian life sciences company pioneering light-activated antimicrobial treatments, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to bring Ondine's Steriwave? nasal decolonisation technology to the United Kingdom, EU and Middle East markets.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the fight against healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as Steriwave safely reduces hospital infections without generating AMR. Steriwave, a non-antibiotic, light-activated nasal decolonisation therapy, has been clinically proven^1-5 to reduce harmful pathogens in the nasal passages, a common source of HAIs and cause of higher rates of mortality, length of stay and readmissions. M?lnlycke's established distribution networks, strong brand and market presence in over 100 countries make it an ideal partner to accelerate the adoption of Steriwave.

The first market focus, starting later this year, is the pivotal UK market where Steriwave is already deployed in a number of National Health Service (NHS) Trusts, including, Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. Steriwave is also listed with NHS Supply Chain, a national body that manages the sourcing, delivery and supply of healthcare products to the NHS and healthcare organisations in England and Wales. The UK, with a total addressable market of over 3 million major surgeries annually⁶ and over 200,000 annual intensive care unit (ICU) admissions,⁷ has significant global influence in setting best practice for patient care.

M?lnlycke will incorporate Steriwave as a key product in its infection control portfolio, enhancing its product offerings with a focus on preventing HAIs and reducing AMR. Distribution will commence in the UK in Q4 2024, followed by expansion into the EU and Middle East regions in 2025, leveraging M?lnlycke's extensive market presence to ultimately broaden the impact of this innovative technology on a global scale. M?lnlycke will spearhead sales and marketing efforts across the UK, EU, and Middle East.

Lina Karlsson, Executive Vice President Antiseptics, M?lnlycke, stated: "M?lnlycke's purpose is to revolutionise care for people and planet. In the Antiseptics business area, we do this by making patient skin decolonisation manageable and motivational. We believe that Steriwave can improve the lives of millions of people, fitting perfectly with our purpose and mission. The ability to rapidly eliminate multiple drug-resistant pathogens without generating antimicrobial resistance is key to our sustainability initiative, and complements our Hibiwash? brand skin prep line, enabling us to provide comprehensive 'nose-to-toes' decolonisation prior to surgery. Universal decolonisation is now a well-accepted practice to improve surgical outcomes and produce significant cost savings to healthcare systems."