World news – GB – COVID-19: University of Birmingham develops a nasal spray that ‘protects against corona virus and prevents its transmission’

Researchers say the spray protects against COVID-19 and can also prevent the virus from spreading from person to person.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a nasal spray that is claimed to be able to prevent infection with the Coronavirus, as well as prevent people from infecting others.. .

According to the study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, it picks up the virus and envelops it inside the nose, where it can be eliminated either by blowing or swallowing.

Because the virus is encapsulated in the spray, it is prevented from being absorbed by the body, so if any viral particles are transferred to another person by sneezing or coughing, that person is less likely to become infected.. Researchers say the active virus particles.

Professor Liam Grover, one of the lead authors of the study, said: “Although our noses filter thousands of liters of air every day, there is no great protection against infection, and most airborne viruses are transmitted through the nasal passage.. .

“The inhaler we made provides that protection but can also prevent the virus from spreading from person to person.

The team set out to create a spray that can evenly cover the inside of the nose and stay where it’s sprayed.

According to research papers, it consists of two polysaccharides. One is an antiviral agent called carrageenan, which is commonly used in foods as a thickening agent. The second is a solution called gellan, which was chosen due to its ability to stick to cells inside the nose.

Researchers say regular application of the spray can significantly reduce disease transmission, and they think it may be especially useful in areas where crowding is less likely to avoid congestion, such as on flights or in the classroom..

A University of Birmingham spokesperson told Sky News that « there is no specific funding » for the project, but that the researchers « have been working on formulations for eye drops that have been funded by MRC (Medical Research Council) and NIHR (National Health Research Institute). ».

“They were able to apply what they learned in this area to develop spraying,” they added.

Co-author Dr Richard Mwax said: “This atomizer is made from readily available products that are already being used in food and pharmaceutical products, and we intentionally built these conditions into our design process.. This means, with the right partners, we can start mass production within weeks.

“Such products do not replace current measures such as wearing masks and washing hands, which will still be necessary to prevent the spread of the virus..

“However, what this spray will do is add a second layer of protection to prevent and slow the transmission of the virus.

This comes amid major breakthroughs in the race to find a COVID-19 vaccine, with the makers of two major candidates declaring that both methods are nearly 95% effective..

But both candidates – from Pfizer and Moderna – are still months away from publication on a large scale and both face complex logistical challenges..

Data from early trials of a vaccine developed by the University of Oxford showed that it produces a strong immune response in the elderly..

As the second wave of Coronavirus infection spreads worldwide, researchers are also looking for other ways to deal with the disease.

© 2020 Sky UK

Nasal Spray, University of Birmingham, Coronavirus, Research, Antiviral Drugs