Research on a ‘novel’ nasal spray therapy, INNA-051, which has been shown to reduce Covid-19 viral replication by up to 96 percent in a gold standard ferret study, has been published in two leading international peer-reviewed journals.
The therapy was developed by Australian biotech company, Ena Respiratory. It was shown in animal study to reduce COVID-19 virus levels in the nose and throat by up to 96 per cent.
It was also found to be effective against rhinovirus (common cold), the predominant cause of the common cold and exacerbations of chronic respiratory diseases including asthma and COPD.
According to Ena Respiratory Managing Director, Dr Christophe Demaison, “We’re thrilled to have two such highly-regarded, peer-reviewed journals publish research papers demonstrating the broad-spectrum efficacy of our drug against multiple respiratory viruses, including the COVID-19 and rhinovirus.”
He added: “This is an important milestone as we are on track to initiate safety human trials in Australia by end of March 2021, and onwards to making our treatment available to the public.”
Therapy’s effectiveness
The results of nimal study showing the therapy’s effectiveness against COVID-19 virus, carried out by Public Health England (PHE), has been published in EBioMedicine, an academic journal published by The Lancet.
Another study, examining rhinovirus infection in human airway cells and animal models has been published in the European Respiratory Journa. This later study provides significant insight into the treatment’s mechanism of action and efficacy in cells from people with asthma.
As the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is rolled out across the globe, Ena Respiratory’s preventative nasal treatment may be used in conjunction with approved vaccines to limit community transmission of the virus and further reduce the risk of disease progression in at risk population, including elderly.
(With inputs from The OnLook News Research Bureau)
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