Surrey hospital trust starts trial of new nasal spray to fight coronavirus

It's thought it can kill 99.9 per cent of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19

Author: Josh KerrPublished 12th Jan 2021

A Surrey hospital trust has begun the first UK clinical trials of a nasal spray proven to kill 99.9 per cent of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

Yesterday (11 January), Ashford and St Peter's began using the SaNOtize Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray, designed to kill the virus in the upper airways, preventing it from incubating and spreading to the lungs.

If successful, it's thought it could be used to stop the infection from spreading.

The treatment, developed by SaNOtize Research and Development Corp. based in Vancouver, Canada, proved 99.9% effective in killing the coronavirus in independent lab tests at Utah State University’s Antiviral Research Institute.

Additional studies in rodents with COVID-19 infection showed over 95% reduction within the first day after infection.

It is currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials throughout Canada approved by Health Canada, and in other countries.

Pankaj Sharma, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Research at Royal Holloway, University of London, said: “Any intervention for treating coronavirus – the virus responsible for Covid-19 – is to be welcomed.

“The fact that a relatively easy and simple nasal spray could be an effective treatment is welcome news and offers a significant advance in our therapeutic armoury against this devastating disease.

“Ashford and St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be at the forefront of trialling this intervention.”

Rob Wilson, a former British government minister who represents SaNOtize in the UK and EU, is overseeing the trial.

He said: “The vaccination programme is essential, but it will also take time to distribute to the general public. Mutant strains may develop, requiring changes to the vaccine. It is not known how long the immunological protection will last. It is also unclear if the vaccines will prevent vaccinated people from becoming infected and potentially transmit the virus to other non-protected individuals.

“For these reasons it is important to explore and deliver simple, safe and inexpensive therapeutic product solutions over the counter in the UK and EU as soon as possible, which is why I am getting these UK trials, the first in Europe, underway very shortly. The nasal spray not only can block entry of the virus, but the active ingredient nitric oxide actually kills the virus and prevents it from multiplying. If successful, people in Britain and Europe could have an effective, safe and accessible treatment within months that they can use daily to kill the coronavirus and stop it spreading.

“This simple treatment will assist us in resuming something approaching normal social life, work and travel with some confidence that even if we inhale the virus, we can both protect against it and destroy it by applying the SaNOtize solution on a regular basis.”