TECHNOLOGY produced by an Andover company could be at the forefront of the fight against MRSA, according to Government Health Secretary John Reid.

Bioquell, based on Walworth Road, has been placed in the second highest category for battling the hospital superbug with their bio-decontamination technology.

In a speech to the National Institute of Clinical Excell-ence Conference at Birming-ham on Wednesday, John Reid announced that three new products had been identified as potential combatants.

A new Rapid Review Panel (RRP), set up to look at new hospital equipment, annou-nced its recommendations on seven products this week.

A silver coated hydrogel catheter was placed in the first category which means it will now be in daily use. Bioquell's technology one of two products placed in the second, will undergo further evaluation with a view to it being used at a later date.

Bioquell's de-contamination system uses a range of hydrogen peroxide vapour systems to decontaminate hospital rooms. Nick Adams, chief executive of Bioquell said: "We are delighted that Bioquell's unique infection control technology has been scrutinised by the world-leading infection control experts on the Rapid Review Panel and placed in the second highest category. This technology has taken more than five years to develop.

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