University of Pittsburgh researchers are beginning to develop a nasal spray aimed toward individuals at high risk of contracting covid-19. The spray could be a preventive measure for the disease.
Pitt is partnering with researchers from the University of Louisville to create a molecule called Q-griffithsin, combining an antiviral protein found in a New Zealand red algae and a plant in the tobacco family. The algae has been shown to bind to surfaces of the coronavirus, rendering it unable to infect healthy cells.
The drug has been formulated into a nasal spray because covid-19 typically enters through the nose and mouth.
“The nice thing about Q-griffithsin is that it has a number of activities against other viruses and pathogens,” said Lisa Rohan, an associate professor in Pitt’s School of Pharmacy and one of the lead researchers in the collaboration, in a statement. “It’s been shown to be effective against Ebola, herpes and hepatitis, as well as a broad spectrum of coronaviruses, including SARS and MERS.”
According to a news release, the team envisions the nasal spray being used for health care and emergency medical service workers, as well as people with weakened immune systems. The spray wouldn’t replace any successful vaccines developed in the future, Rohan said.
“The vaccine will also be specific for this particular coronavirus, while the nasal spray can be used for a broad spectrum of diseases,” she said. “Also, given Q-griffithsin’s broad spectrum activity against coronaviruses, it has potential to thwart future infections.”
Rohan’s lab originally developed formulations for the molecule as a way to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Kenneth Palmer, the Helmsley chair in Pharmaceutical Plant-based Research at Louisville, had also been testing it for treatment of a number of viruses.
“This is a product that already has a nice safety profile and has an application that has allowed it to move forward in the clinic. We believe this is a product we can rapidly advance in a realistic way,” Rohan said. “With adequate funding, we’re hoping to move the product into the clinic before the end of the year.”
