Scientists Testing Inhaler Protection Against the Coronavirus

As the world waits for the development of an immunization to give people immunity against COVID-19, scientists at University of California in San Francisco are looking to test an aerosol which they believe can protect users from the coronavirus.

Users could self-administer the aerosol, dubbed “AeroNabs,” through a nasal spray or inhaler. Used once a day, it could provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 until a vaccine becomes available. The research team is in active discussions with commercial partners to ramp up manufacturing and clinical testing of AeroNabs, which they describe as “molecular personal protective equipment (PPE).”

The coronavirus invades hosts through its spikes. These spikes can switch from a closed, inactive state to an open, active state, during which it can attach to human cells that line the lung and airway. The aerosol works by disabling the spikes, thereby preventing the virus from infecting hosts.