Australian firm says its nasal spray reduced coronavirus growth in animal study

Ena Respiratory is developing a nasal spray to improve human immune system to fight common cold and flu

SYDNEY:

Australian biotech company Ena Respiratory said on Monday that a nasal spray it is developing to improve the human immune system to fight the common cold and flu significantly reduced the growth of the coronavirus in a recent study on animals.

A study on ferrets showed the product dubbed INNA-051, which could be used complementary to vaccines, lowered the levels of the virus that causes Covid-19 by up to 96%, the company said. The study was led by the British government agency Public Health England.

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Ena Respiratory said it would be ready to test INNA-051 in human trials in less than four months, subject to successful toxicity studies and regulatory approval.

The company has raised $8.24 million for the development of the spray. Investors include venture capital firm Brandon Capital, the Australian federal government, pension funds, and biotech giant.

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Several companies across the world are in the pursuit of developing a coronavirus vaccine. Australia has entered into agreements with some drug companies investing billions to secure potential vaccines for Covid-19, which has killed over 992,000 people worldwide.

Australia has so far reported 875 deaths and just over 27,000 coronavirus cases, far less than the numbers reported in other developed countries.