homehome Home chatchat Notifications


New molecule promises nasal spray that can protect against and fight off the coronavirus

The results so far are promising, but only based on mouse studies.

Alexandru Micu
March 29, 2022 @ 10:47 pm

share Share

Researchers at Cornell University are reporting on a novel nasal spray that could prevent the coronavirus from infecting people — and help fight it off if it does.

Image via Pixabay.

The finding here is a new molecule called N-0385 that inhibits the virus’ ability to infect cells in the body. Lab experiments at Cornell using mice showed that applications of N-0385 prior to exposure are effective at preventing the mice from being infected, and act as an effective treatment against it if administered up to 12 hours after exposure. The molecule was developed in collaboration with researchers at Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada.

Such a discovery holds promise both in helping us treat cases of coronavirus infections, as well as to reduce the mortality rates among those that have already contracted the virus.

Anti-COVID nasal spray

“There are very few, if any, small molecule antivirals that have been discovered that work to prevent infection,” said Hector Aguilar-Carreno, associate professor of virology, and senior author of the paper. “This is the first of its kind”.

“One advantage is that it works early in the infection, even after someone has already acquired the virus”.

The molecule was tested in mice infected with the first strain of coronavirus detected in the U.S., back in 2020, and against the Delta strain. It has proven efficacious against both. The team, however, did not test it against the Omicron variant so far but are optimistic that N-0385 will work against this as well.

For the study, the team administered the molecule intranasally to the mice before, during, and after infection. They then tracked the mice’s weight (as weightloss is a good indication of infection or disease) alongside other clinical and pathological measurements (such as body temperature monitoring). Tissue samples were taken from the mice to better track how their bodies responded to the virus during the experiment.

The treatment was effective at preventing the mice from losing weight when administered prior to exposure — suggesting it helped insulate the animals from the virus — and reduced mortality rates in the group where it was administered following infection. It still showed good efficacy even up to 12 hours after infection, the team explains.

Based on these results, the researchers are keen to move their molecule over to human trials. A California-based company, EBVIA Therapeutics, Inc., is currently raising funding for these trials and plans to continue with the development, formulation, and mass production of the compound should these trials be successful. If everything goes to plan, the treatment could be submitted for FDA emergency approval within six months.

“The N-0385 therapy is simpler and less expensive to mass produce than other types of COVID-19 treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies,” Aguilar-Carreno said.

The paper “A TMPRSS2 inhibitor acts as a pan-SARS-CoV-2 prophylactic and therapeutic” has been published in the journal Nature.

share Share

Tiny Chinese Satellite Sent Hack-Proof Quantum Messages 12,900 Kilometers Through Space. Is a Quantum Internet Around the Corner?

The US and Europe are now racing to catch up to China.

Cats Came Bearing Gods: Religion and Trade Shaped the Rise of the Domestic Cat in Europe

Two groundbreaking studies challenge the old narrative that cats followed early farmers into Europe.

The People of Carthage Weren’t Who We Thought They Were

The Punic people had almost no genetic ties to Phoenicians, even though the latter founded the great city of Carthage.

RFK Jr loves raw milk. Now, he's suspending milk quality tests due to Trump cuts

Imagine pouring a glass of milk for your child and wondering if it’s safe.

A Roman gladiator died fighting a lion in England and his 1,800-year-old skeleton proves it

It's the first-ever evidence of man-lion combat found in the Roman period.

This Surprising Protein Shift Could Add Years to Your Life, Study Finds

A global study ties plant protein to longer adult lives, but early life needs differ.

Scientists Create a 'Power Bar' for Bees to Replace Pollen and Keep Colonies Alive Without Flowers

Researchers unveil a man-made “Power Bar” that could replace pollen for stressed honey bee colonies.

First-Ever Footage Captures a Living Colossal Squid—And It’s Just a Baby

A century after its discovery, the elusive giant finally reveals itself on camera.

Ancient tree rings reveal the hidden reason Rome’s grip on Britain failed

Three scorching summers in antiquity triggered revolt, invasion, and a turning point in British history.

Oxford Academics Used a Human Skull as a Wine Cup—Until 2015

It sounds like a scene from gothic fiction, but it’s real.