The quest for effective defenses against viral infections, especially SARS-CoV-2, has led scientists to explore innovative solutions, including specialized nasal sprays. Researchers are currently investigating at least two distinct types of sprays designed to target viruses at their primary entry point: the nasal cavity. While these products are commercially available, guidelines on their optimal use for coronavirus prevention are still being clarified.
Viral infections, like COVID-19, typically begin when respiratory droplets carrying pathogens are inhaled and subsequently infiltrate cells lining the nasal passages. One such innovation, marketed as Profi (and scientifically known as pathogen capture and neutralizing spray or PCANS), aims to create a protective, gel-like film. This barrier is intended to trap larger droplets and obstruct bacteria and viruses from attaching to the nasal lining, thereby preventing infection.
Scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who developed the PCANS spray, conducted early testing using a 3D model of human nasal passages and in mice. Their findings indicated that the spray blocked nearly all disease-causing microbes, including the coronavirus, in the 3D model, and proved effective against a specific influenza strain in mouse studies. It's important to note that some researchers involved hold patents related to the PCANS formulation and have financial ties to Akita Biosciences, the company marketing Profi. Akita Biosciences has reportedly completed a feasibility and safety study among U.S. healthcare workers during cold and flu season, though the results are not yet public.
Another promising avenue involves an antihistamine nasal spray. A Phase 2 randomized clinical trial involving 450 participants examined the effects of azelastine, an antihistamine, used three times daily for 56 days. The results showed a significantly lower rate of coronavirus positivity among the azelastine group (2.2%) compared to the placebo group (6.7%). Researchers propose that azelastine works through multiple mechanisms, including blocking the ACE2 receptors—the very pathways the coronavirus uses to enter cells.
Remarkably, this antihistamine also demonstrated efficacy against other common pathogens. Professor Robert Bals of Saarland University, who led the azelastine study, expressed excitement over the primary outcome and the potential for the spray to prevent other respiratory viruses, such as the rhinovirus (a frequent cause of the common cold). The study was sponsored and designed by pharmaceutical manufacturer Ursapharm Arzneimittel, in collaboration with researchers.
Experts like Monica Gandhi, an infectious-disease specialist at the University of California at San Francisco, suggest that other nasal sprays that block H1 receptors, similar to azelastine, could offer comparable benefits. However, further research is needed to determine the most effective usage patterns—whether consistent application or pre-exposure use. Akiko Iwasaki, a professor of immunobiology at Yale University, underscores the value of stopping the virus in the nose as a significant strategy for combating respiratory viruses and preventing infection. While nasal sprays offer a compelling new approach, experts emphasize that they are one tool among several science-backed methods for preventing coronavirus infection, and their specific effectiveness and optimal application warrant continued investigation.
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Originally published at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/09/30/covid-nasal-spray-coronavirus/
