Zoono Group Limited announced the development of the first of its specialty products for use in the clinical, medical and OTC sectors. Over the past 18 months, Zoono has been working closely with the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland, examining the effects of Zoono technology on staphylococcus and pseudomonas biofilms in the laboratory. These pathogens are often detected in patients experiencing sinusitis and can be very resistant to treatment with antibiotics.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common condition that causes a marked reduction in quality of life for those who suffer from it. This project has been partially funded by a grant from the New Zealand Government Science and Innovation Agency. The University team has been led by Professor Richard Douglas - a specialist ORL surgeon with clinical and research interests in the medical and surgical management of chronic rhinosinusitis.

He is a consultant surgeon at Auckland City and Gillies Hospitals and is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Auckland. His project team includes Dr. Brett Wagner-MacKenzie, a research fellow in the Department of Surgery at the University of Auckland. The test results from the product trials completed at the University have exceeded all expectations.

The testing confirmed: a significant reduction in viable staphylococcus aureus biofilms at one hour and eradication at six hours; and a significant reduction in viable pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms at 5 minutes and near eradication within one 1 hour. The new formulation will be sold as a treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) - a condition that is estimated to affect 12.3% of the population in the USA, 10.9% in Europe and 13% in China. Zoono is keen to expand its product range into this market as the global inhalation and nasal spray generic drugs market was estimated at USD 17.50 billion in 2021.

Further, it is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of circa 9% from 2022 to 2030. Another material advantage of the new Zoono product is that it has the potential to substantially reduce the use of antibiotics in the treatment of sinusitis, thereby reducing the potential for the development of antibiotic resistance. The Zoono technology does not promote mutation and pathogens are unable to develop immunity.