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In a major breakthrough, Australian biotech company Ena Respiratory announced that a nasal spray, which was originally developed to boost the immune system against colds and flu, may also be effective in fighting Covid-19 disease.
One study found that INNA-051 spray reduced the growth of the emerging corona virus, which causes Covid-19 disease, in animals by 96%.
According to the study conducted by the Public Health Agency of England, INNA-051 spray has been shown to be effective in “drastically reducing the growth levels of the Covid-19 virus in the nose and throat” and reducing viral reproduction by 96 % in rodents.
In a statement, the Australian company stated that the spray works by stimulating the immune system before infection with the disease, and human trials are expected to begin in a few weeks.
Company officials expected the drug to achieve a similar response in humans, including silent carriers of the disease. Specialists said they were surprised by the effectiveness of the treatment, especially as it clears the virus in the early stages in the nose and throat.
According to the release, human trials are scheduled to take less than four months, but the company is now awaiting regulatory approval.
The statement indicated that if the nasal spray were effective, it would complement the final vaccine, indicating that “it will be taken once or twice a week.”
The Ena Respiratory company indicated that the inhaler was in development before the appearance of the Corona virus, with the aim of strengthening immunity against influenza, and with the outbreak of the pandemic, officials reoriented their efforts to make the inhaler effective in the fight against Covid-19.
“INNA-051 uses a non-specific innate immune response, which means that it is effective against a wide range of viruses,” said Chris Smith, director of the Ena Respiratory Board.
The study involves Australian research organizations, the Hunter Institute for Medical Research and the University of Melbourne.
Notably, a Reuters tally, released Monday, showed that more than 32.88 million people were infected with the emerging corona virus worldwide, while the total number of deaths from infection reached one million.
HIV infections have been recorded in more than 210 countries and regions since the first cases were discovered in China in December 2019.
The United States topped the list, registering 7 million 106,600 cases, while the total number of deaths reached 204,538.
India ranked second in terms of the number of injured, which exceeded 6 million, and the total number of deaths reached 95,542 cases.
Brazil ranked third in terms of the number of infected people, registering 4 million 686,080 cases, while the number of deaths reached 140,677, the second highest number of virus deaths in the world after the United States.
Russia ranked fourth in terms of the number of wounded, registering one million and 159,573 cases, and the total number of deaths reached 20,385, according to Al-Hurra.
