In the early days of the pandemic, some brilliant minds at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital brainstormed a fresh way to tackle pesky respiratory infections. Fast forward, and we’ve got a nasal spray that could potentially put those germs in a headlock! A recent preclinical study shows this innovative spray is almost 100% effective in stopping viruses and bacteria from crashing the party in our noses—at least it worked like a charm on our little furry friends, the mice.
Here’s the scoop: When someone sick lets out a sneeze or cough, they release germy droplets that aim to invade our noses. Enter our hero, the nasal spray! It coats the inside of the nose, forming a gel-like fortress that bursts those droplets and traps the germs in a sticky situation. “This stops viruses and bacteria right in their tracks,” says Nitin Joshi, the brains behind the operation.
Once trapped, the germs are neutralized by the spray’s special ingredients. In tests, mice faced a flu virus that would ordinarily be game over, but with the spray, they stayed as sprightly as ever. The spray, known as PCANS (Pathogen Capture and Neutralizing Spray), also showed its prowess against COVID-19, RSV, adenovirus, and pneumonia-causing bacteria. While it hasn’t been tested on the common cold yet, it’s expected to give it a run for its money.
Unlike other nasal sprays, which are like a flimsy umbrella in a storm, this one has three moves: it bursts, captures, and neutralizes. Plus, you don’t have to worry about unwanted side effects because this spray is drug-free and uses only ingredients that are generally recognized as safe by the FDA.
The creators are eager to get this spray into the hands (or rather, noses) of the public quickly. Human testing is on the horizon, but if you’re curious and can’t wait, a company named Akita Biosciences is already offering it as a personal-care product. Just imagine using it once or twice a day while navigating crowded spots like a pro, with peace of mind that your nose is on the front lines, fending off those unwelcome guests!
