Viromed Medical AG is advancing groundbreaking research into cold plasma technology as a potential "digital antibiotic" for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), a serious complication that affects nearly one-third of mechanically ventilated patients. The innovative study, led by Prof. Dr. Hortense Slevogt of the renowned BREATH research network at Hannover Medical School, is investigating the safety and efficacy of cold plasma to kill bacteria in the respiratory tract.
Addressing a Critical Healthcare Challenge
VAP represents a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide, occurring in patients who are invasively ventilated for at least 48 hours. According to study data, VAP affects 23-36% of mechanically ventilated patients and is associated with prolonged ventilation, extended ICU and hospital stays, and an estimated mortality rate of 10-13%. In Germany alone, approximately 486,000 patients required mechanical ventilation in ICUs in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for effective VAP prevention measures.
The condition not only carries a high mortality rate but also places substantial strain on healthcare resources due to increased antibiotic use, longer patient stays, and higher treatment costs. The growing antibiotic resistance of pathogens makes new, non-antibiotic approaches urgently necessary.
Revolutionary Technology Mechanism
Cold plasma technology offers a fundamentally different approach to combating bacterial infections compared to traditional antibiotics. Unlike conventional treatments that can take days to reach the source of disease, cold plasma can reach the site of infection within minutes and destroy pathogens just as quickly, including those already resistant to antibiotics.
"The most important advantage is that cold plasma destroys germs physically. And there can be no resistance to that," explained Uwe Perbandt, CEO of Viromed Medical AG. This physical mechanism of action represents a significant advantage over chemical antibiotics, which face increasing resistance challenges.
Clinical Research and Expert Leadership
The research is conducted under the scientific direction of Prof. Dr. Hortense Slevogt, a BREATH scientist at Hannover Medical School. The BREATH research network (Biomedical Research in End-stage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover) is one of five sites of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and uniquely unites internationally recognized expertise in translational respiratory medicine.
The research network consists of four strong partners: Hannover Medical School, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Fraunhofer ITEM, and CAPNETZ FOUNDATION. Prof. Dr. Slevogt noted that "if the positive preliminary results of our study are confirmed, cold plasma could revolutionize the treatment of ventilated patients."
Broader Implications and Market Response
The technology's potential extends beyond VAP prevention, with cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) already scientifically proven to inactivate harmful viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Viromed Medical AG currently uses CAP for treating difficult-to-heal wounds and is conducting clinical trials for pulmonary medicine applications.
Perbandt emphasized the life-saving potential of the technology: "So, if the efficacy and safety of cold plasma continue to be confirmed in the course of the study, which I firmly believe they will, we have here, in effect, a 'digital antibiotic' that will take us a big step forward in the fight against many diseases. This way, we can save tens or even hundreds of thousands of lives."
Company Background and Market Position
Viromed Medical AG, listed on the stock exchange since October 2022, specializes in developing, manufacturing, and distributing medical products. The company operates through its wholly owned subsidiary Viromed Medical GmbH, focusing on innovative cold plasma technology for medical applications.
The company maintains a broad customer base in the DACH region, including DAX companies such as Volkswagen and Lufthansa, state and federal authorities, ministries, 1,100 hospitals, 7,000 pharmacies, and 11,000 medical practices. Since the BREATH research network published the announcement on November 22, 2024, Viromed has received numerous international inquiries about the technology.
