The publication of results using a novel bio-decontamination technique has pumped up the share price of the British company that developed the technology and could advance the fight against hospital acquired infection.

The publication of results using a novel bio-decontamination technique has pumped up the share price of the British company that developed the technology and could advance the fight against hospital acquired infection.

Hampshire-based biotech firm Bioquell are delighted with the performance of their Room Bio-Decontamination Service (RBDS), which was found to be significantly more effective than conventional cleaning methods at decontaminating surfaces harbouring the notorious superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

The new technique uses hydrogen peroxide vapour to bio-deactivate micro-organisms. It removed 99 per cent of MRSA contamination compared with only 66 per cent by conventional cleaning methods, according to data published in the Journal of Hospital Infection. Bioquell says its technology was first deployed during last year’s severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, when three hospitals in Singapore were bio-decontaminated.

The company share price was reported up by more than 19 per cent within hours of the data being published.

Bea Perks