By The SATimes News Service
China has approved the first phase of human trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine administered through a nasal spray.
The inoculation is being developed by researchers at Xiamen University, Hong Kong University, and vaccine maker Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise, according to Bloomberg News.
This is the 10th such candidate from China to proceed to the crucial stage of human testing.
The spray contains strains of the weakened flu virus with genetic segments of the coronavirus’s spike protein. Once in the body, it mimics the natural infection of respiratory viruses to stimulate the body’s immune response against the pathogen that causes COVID-19, Science and Technology Daily reports. The paper is affiliated with China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
The hope is that a vaccine sprayed through the nose may have a better chance of stopping the virus in the respiratory tracts, while a shot may not be strong enough to stave off infection.
Encouraging animal-based trials reinforced the concept.
A study published last month by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis concluded that a nasal vaccine prevented infection in mice — significantly reducing lung damage — and that the spray was more successful in fending off the virus.
Intranasal sprays are already employed to prevent the flu and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has highlighted their usefulness.
The World Health Organization reports that at least 35 coronavirus vaccine trials are currently underway across the globe.
None of the Chinese diplomats traveling to virus hotspots overseas have reported infections months after receiving CNBG vaccines, their general counsel told Science and Technology Daily. (Source: foxnews.com)
