![Covid-19: towards a protective nasal spray?](https://img.passeportsante.net/1000x526/2020-12-04/i97938-.jpeg)
A nasal spray to protect against the coronavirus. This is the ingenious project on which American researchers from the University of Pennsylvania are working, in partnership with the biotechnology company Regeneron.
Anti-covid nasal spray, a promising solution?
This is a serious avenue that could make it possible, in addition to the vaccine, to stem the epidemic of covid-19. In partnership with the biotechnology company Regeneron, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are developing a nasal spray that would promote the production of antibodies attacking sars-cov-2, the virus responsible for covid-19. The principle of this spray? Introducing genetic material into cells through the nose and throat. These would then provide an immune response by producing antibodies that would protect against covid-19. For the time being, the researchers are carrying out a test phase on animals. By January, they hope to get FDA approval to begin human testing.
One dose for 6 months of protection
James Wilson, the professor in charge of the project for the University of Pennsylvania, estimates that this method could protect against covid-19 for 6 months. In addition to being a good alternative to vaccines, this technique would lead to fewer side effects. “The advantage of our approach is that you don’t need to have a competent immune system for this to be effective,” he explained. The US government appealed to this gene therapy pioneer last February to find out if this technique could be used in the fight against covid-19. This was only possible after the discovery of the Regeneron treatment made from two monoclonal antibodies made in the laboratory. This is the treatment that was administered to US President Donald Trump when he contracted covid.