THAILAND'S Chulalongkorn University has developed, through its discovery of using the human body's own "highly effective antibody against COVID-19", a nasal spray called Covitrap, that "traps and inhibits the COVID-19 virus".
Its researchers say this "innovation is considered the first in the world to use antibodies to create a nasal spray".
The product has been certified by the US FDA as a class-4 medical device that traps and inhibits the COVID-19 virus in the nasal cavity.
Dr Trairak Pisitkun, Director of the Center of Excellence in Systems Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, explained that the research team collected blood samples from over 300 patients who had recovered from COVID-19 to find B cells that are most effective at producing antibodies that can fight the COVID-19 virus.
"From millions of B cells, we used the process of high-throughput screening to discover the B cells that can produce antibodies that can effectively neutralise COVID-19.
"The genetic code for the immunoglobulin gene of these B cells was then sequenced before entering the industrial production process to obtain large quantities of the antibody."
Dr Pisitkun explained "once injected into the body, antibodies will protect various parts of the body, such as the bloodstream, lungs, intestines, and mucous membranes.
"As for the method of nasal spray, antibodies will coat the mucous surface of the nasal cavity, preventing the virus from binding to the nasal epithelial cells and causing an infection in the body."
Even though Covitrap contains COVID-resisting antibodies, it cannot replace a vaccine.
"Although antibodies and vaccines can both work against COVID-19, they have different properties and functions and, therefore, cannot be substituted for each other," Pisitkun explained.
The antibodies in Covitrap can be compared to a "ready-made immunity".
Pisitkun said once it is sprayed into the nasal cavity, it will be able to resist the COVID-19 virus in that area immediately.
"The antibodies do not enter the body and no stimulation is made to the body, causing a lower chance of immunologic reactions than vaccination.
"The disadvantage of Covitrap is that it does not last long (about six hours).
"Since the body is not stimulated to produce antibodies like vaccines, the ready-made antibodies that enter the nasal cavity through Covitrap are rapidly cleared via the mucociliary clearance process.
"The advantage of the nasal spray is that it complements masks and helps in crowded areas, enclosed spaces, or in situations where people need to remove their mask amidst a crowd," Pisitkun concluded.
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