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Could a nasal spray offer hope against Covid-19? Scientists ‘shocked’ after artificial solution trial halted virus replication in 96% of infected ferrets
- Ferrets that were later exposed to the coronavirus were treated.
- The spray was initially developed to help protect against the common cold and flu.
- Human trials with the aerosol could begin in the next four months.
Weekly squirts of a nasal spray could provide protection against Covid-19, research suggests.
The ferrets received two doses of a solution, which contains an artificial molecule designed to boost the immune system, per day. before they were exposed to the coronavirus.
The results reveal that it reduced the replication of the virus in their noses and throats by 96 percent, reducing the risk of infection and reducing the chances of transmission.
The artificial compound, called INNA-051, is scheduled to enter human trials within the next four months.
It was first developed to help protect against the common cold and flu, but it has yet to be sealed because it has not been convincingly shown to work.
Previous research showed it “accelerated” antiviral responses in the throat cells of healthy volunteers and people with asthma, and provided “long-term protection” in mice against rhinoviruses, which cause a runny nose in humans. .
If approved, the treatment could offer additional defenses to people at elevated risk for Covid-19, including the elderly and those with underlying health problems.
The treatment was first tested in ferrets, showing that it increased their immunity and made them better able to protect themselves against the coronavirus.
An article detailing the INNA-051 trial was published on the bioRxiv research website, although it has not yet been peer reviewed.
The spray has been developed by the Australian company Ena Respiratory, which began work on cutting-edge treatment before the pandemic hit.
It contains molecules designed to activate the TLR2 and TLR6 receptors on the mucosal epithelial cells that line the throat and nose, attracting hordes of white blood cells to the area and boosting immunity.
The aerosol test in ferrets was led by Professor Miles Carroll, deputy director and head of research for Public Health England’s Porton Down.
Dr Christophe Demaison, Managing Director of Melbourne-based Ena Respiratory, said: “We have been amazed at how effective our treatment has been.
“By boosting the ferrets’ natural immune response with our treatment, we have seen rapid eradication of the virus.”
He added: ‘If humans respond similarly, the benefits of treatment are twofold.
People exposed to the virus would likely clear it quickly, and treatment would ensure that the disease does not progress beyond mild symptoms.
‘This is particularly relevant for vulnerable members of the community.
“Furthermore, the rapidity of this response means that infected individuals are unlikely to transmit it, which means a rapid cessation of community transmission.”
The firm said that if human trials are successful and funding is secured, the therapy could be rapidly manufactured at scale.
Professor Roberto Solari, Ena Respiratory’s Respiratory Specialist Advisor and Visiting Professor at Imperial College London, said: “This is a significant advance as the world races to find a solution to stop the transmission of Covid-19 and infection of populations at risk.
‘Most exciting is INNA-051’s ability to significantly reduce virus levels in the nose and throat, which gives hope that this therapy could reduce the transmission of Covid-19 by infected people, especially those who can be presymptomatic or asymptomatic and therefore do not know they are infectious. ‘
The company has previously secured up to £ 6.4 million ($ 8.25 million) in funding and is requesting further financial support for testing.
The treatment has been designed to strengthen protection against all respiratory diseases, as opposed to just the coronavirus.
The test was carried out with 24 female ferrets that received different doses of the spray and were sedated during its administration.
It is a challenge test, which means that animals are exposed to the infectious agent after being treated with possibly protective drugs to see if it works.
