Nasal spray using beneficial bacteria wins WA innovation award for ear
Oto Medicines won the WA Innovators award for Spritz-OM, a nasal spray that uses beneficial bacteria to prevent childhood ear infections.
A Perth biotech spinout, Oto Medicines, won the Emerging Innovation Award at the WA Innovators of the Year awards for its nasal spray Spritz-OM. The treatment prevents childhood ear infections by using beneficial bacteria rather than relying on antibiotics or surgery.
The Kids Research Institute Australia spinout aims to reduce the burden of ear infections on families and cut unnecessary antibiotic use and surgical procedures. Nine category winners and two runners-up shared more than $310,000 in prize money, selected from 152 applications to mark the awards' 20th anniversary.
The innovation comes as childhood ear infections remain common and often treated with antibiotics that contribute to antibiotic resistance.
- 310,000 dollars plus
- Prize money shared
- 152
- Applications received
- 20th anniversary
- Awards milestone
- Kids Research Institute Australia
- Parent institute
Why it mattersA non-antibiotic approach to childhood ear infections could reduce surgery rates and limit antibiotic overuse, a growing public health concern.
AustraliaAustralian parents could soon have a new option for treating ear infections in children, potentially avoiding surgery and reducing antibiotic dependence.
