Montreal-based I-MED Pharma and Seneca Polytechnic–s School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry (BSAC) have collaborated on a study evaluating the performance of I-LID ‘N LASH HOCl Cleansing Spray, one of I-MED Pharma–s eyelid hygiene products designed for patients with dry eye.

The project brought together I-MED Pharma–s R&D team, led by Dr. Mahmoud B. Rammal, Dr. Adel Al-Amodi, and Dr. Karim Fahmy, with Seneca faculty Dr. Frank Merante and Paulina Sarzala, and research scientist Sina Elahipanah. Their work, published in the Biomedical Journal of Scientific and Technical Research, focused on methods to evaluate the concentration and stability of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in the formulation. HOCl is an antimicrobial molecule naturally produced by the human body and serves as the active ingredient in the cleansing spray.

To avoid handling dangerous pathogens, the Seneca team tested the product against safer model organisms that mimic bacterial, fungal, and viral activity. “Some of these mimetic systems are incredibly valuable to mirror what would happen with pathogenic organisms,” said Dr. Merante.

Hands-on contributions came from Seneca students Dean Pickett, Amina Abane Cherrez, and Misako Kobayashi, all from the three-year Biotechnology – Advanced diploma program. The students carried out much of the lab work and analysis at the Seneca Centre for Innovation in Life Sciences (SCILS).

“It was such a great experience to interact with students who truly wanted to learn and excel,” said Sarzala. “They did an amazing job quantifying results in a reliable way.”

I-MED Pharma, which has specialized in dry eye solutions for more than 30 years, highlighted the value of Seneca–s facilities and expertise. “Seneca–s state-of-the-art facilities and advanced equipment played a pivotal role in streamlining the project and ensuring that key deliverables were achieved efficiently and on schedule,” said Dr. Al-Amodi.

Looking ahead, I-MED Pharma and Seneca expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration. “Our priority has always been to validate the performance of our products through credible, data-driven research—and Seneca has proven to be a reliable partner in delivering exactly that,” said Dr. Rammal.

Source: Seneca Polytechnic

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