Ondine continues to expand its Steriwave treatment to reduce surgical site infections in hospitals across Canada

Ondine continues to expand its Steriwave treatment to reduce surgical site infections in hospitals across Canada

Cowichan District Hospital Adopts Steriwave to Lead Vancouver Island in Surgical Innovation

Ondine Biomedical continues to expand the use of its Steriwave nasal decolonisation treatment to prevent surgical site infections, killing all types of bugs without causing resistance. Cowichan District Hospital, a facility within the Island Health Authority in British Columbia, is adopting Steriwave® nasal photodisinfection as a standard part of pre-surgical protocols for its orthopaedic patients to help protect them from the increasing risk of multidrug-resistant infections.

By integrating Ondine Biomedical’s Steriwave system, Cowichan Hospital offers its orthopaedic patients a "gold standard" of infection prevention. Steriwave employs a non-invasive, five-minute light-activated process to eradicate pathogens—bacteria, viruses, and fungi—in the nose, a primary reservoir for bacteria that cause surgical site infections (SSIs). Unlike traditional antibiotics, Steriwave works immediately and does not contribute to the "superbug" crisis. For a hospital quickly expanding surgical capacity to meet the needs of a growing population, this innovation is a vital safeguard. Organisations adopting the technology, such as the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust in the UK, have seen hip and knee SSIs decline by as much as 71%.

The adoption of this advanced technology coincides with Cowichan Hospital's major transformation and preparations for the historic opening of its new CAD£1.4 billion, 607,000-square-foot campus—three times the size of its current facility. The expansion nearly doubles the number of operating theatres, from four to seven, signalling Cowichan's rise as a premier destination for complex orthopaedic surgeries and joint replacements.

A Future-Forward Medical Hub

Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine Biomedical Inc., commented:

“Cowichan is migrating from community hospital to a regional leader in innovation and we are proud to be part of that evolution. As this facility triples in size to become one of the most significant medical centers in British Columbia, the clinical team is ensuring that patient safety keeps pace with that growth. We are honored to support the Cowichan Valley in helping to protect patients and families from the growing threat of drug-resistant infections with our rapid and painless photodisinfection procedure.”

The adoption of Steriwave at the new Quw’utsun Hulitun-ew’t-hw facility underscores the hospital’s commitment to "future-proofing" healthcare in the region, as it expands its emergency department to over 36 treatment spaces, becomes B.C.’s first fully electric and "Salmon-Safe" certified hospital, and increases the number of surgical procedure rooms by 200% to help reduce wait times for Vancouver Island residents.

About Cowichan Hospital & Island Health

Cowichan Hospital, operated by Island Health, is the primary acute care facility for the Cowichan Valley. With the completion of its new regional campus in 2026/2027, it will stand as one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in Canada, serving as a critical hub for surgical excellence, emergency care, and Indigenous health services.

About Steriwave®

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 nasal photodisinfection system is CE-marked 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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