Ondine Biopharma CEO Carolyn Cross has been nominated for a 2010 Manning Innovation Award for her work in developing a photodisinfection technology, which uses light wavelengths to activate drugs that destroy bacteria, fungi and viruses without contributing to antibiotic resistance.
The award recognizes Canadians who have demonstrated recent innovative talent in developing and marketing a new concept, process or procedure.
Periowave is the first photodisinfection product developed by Vancouver’s Ondine Biopharma Corp. (TSX:OBP).
It has been launched in the Canadian and European dental markets to treat periodontal disease, a disorder associated with increased risk of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
Ondine didn’t invent photodisinfection, but uses the process as part of its technology platform.
Cross told BIV Wednesday morning that Ondine is nearing U.S. approval of Periowave.
A photodisinfection product for killing superbugs in hospitals is also in development and Cross expects that product to go into trials early next year.
“We know we can kill the bugs, we need to know how fast they come back,” said Cross. “We’re finessing how [the product] gets used.”
It is also currently developing other photodisinfection applications, including one for treating chronic sinusitis and another for treating ventilator-associated pneumonia.
The last B.C.-based winners of a Manning were Lindsay Machan and William Hunter in 2006 for developing the drug-delivery technique that Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Corp. uses to prepare stents – tiny drug-coated cylinders that prop open clogged veins.
BIV profiled Cross in issue 866; May 30-June 5, 2006.