Corona protection through nasal spray? Researchers are certain: nanobodies prevent infection

Milestone in corona research?

German-American researchers want to have developed a nasal spray that is supposed to prevent infection with the coronavirus. Can this really work? And when could the preparation come on the market? Doctor and medical journalist Dr. Christoph Specht arranges.

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Antibodies come from alpacas

Scientists at “UC San Francisco” are convinced that they have developed a nasal spray to prevent infection with the coronavirus. Use during the day could possibly prevent a corona infection, according to the researchers. “We christened the new drug AeroNabs,” says the biochemist Peter Walter, in whose laboratory the drug was developed in an interview with ARD. “The name came about because we turned molecules into an aerosol and were able to produce a mist. If this is inhaled, it gets deep into the lungs. There it can attack the virus before it penetrates the body’s cells.”

Doctor and medical journalist Dr. Christoph Specht speaks to RTL of a “scientifically highly interesting approach.” “Alpacas play a role here. It was discovered years ago that these llamas produce very special types of antibodies, much smaller than what you see in humans. These antibodies can be made even smaller in the laboratory.” so Dr. Woodpecker.

Clinical studies are still pending

Have the researchers made a breakthrough here? “Until now, tests have only been carried out in the laboratory. The question is whether the spray would also work in a person’s nose. And that requires clinical studies that will take many months. It cannot be done quickly.” says Dr. Woodpecker.

There is no risk of addiction

Should the product hit the market, would there be a risk of addiction? “Clearly, no!” says Dr. Woodpecker. “The addiction relates to nasal sprays that we use to get better air, that is, to constrict the blood vessels. And that’s where you can really become addicted. But this agent is not contained in this spray.”

No vaccine substitute

The preparation is not intended to replace a vaccine. The researchers hope that it can bridge the time until a vaccine that is suitable for the masses is found. The agent is now being clinically tested and checked for effectiveness. If the tests go well, as the scientists expected, the spray could be on the market in a few months.

“The molecules are easy to manufacture in large quantities. If there are no clinical side effects, the spray could very well find a wide range of applications,” says Walter. One is already talking to manufacturers.