Spray for coronavirus

Scientists from the Netherlands are developing a new way to overcome the epidemic. They want to stop the spread of coronavirus by using a nasal spray containing unique active substances - combinations of peptides and lipids blocking the fusion of the virus with the cell membrane of the host's body.

To enter a cell, any virus must approach the cellular surface in such a way that the viral and cell membranes are combined into one whole. Only after this process the pathogen is able to introduce its own genetic information into the host cell. As for coronavirus, it is believed that the spike protein SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for this process, and the scientists have found a way to “turn it off”. Scientists have developed a new drug in which they combined several variations of peptides and lipoproteins that inhibit the activity of the surface protein of the coronavirus. They have already tested peptides and lipoproteins properties in animal models. The scientists have published their study results in the Science Journal.

After that, the scientists chose the most effective combinations of experimental molecules and created a drug on their basis in the form of a nasal spray. They claim that after using this spray, the active molecules remain on the epithelial cells for 24 hours. In case of contact with a person infected with a coronavirus infection, these molecules prevent the development of infection by preventing the virus from entering the cells.   

Source: SCIENCE