Korean firms under spotlight for nasal spray protection against Covid-19

Several Korean companies are under the limelight with their exploration of simple nasal spray medicines to prevent respiratory viral infections, including coronavirus amid the resurgence of Covid-19 cases.

This new drug delivery technology is designed to remove viruses and germs while moistening the nasal mucosa.

According to industry sources on Tuesday, D.R.NANO, a startup founded by state-run Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), successfully developed a nasal spray called ‘RHINOdeLIGHT’ to control viruses and bacteria that invade the nasal cavity. The company received medical device authorization of the device in April.

(From left) ‘RHINOdeLIGHT’ and "Coldmask. [Photo by each company]

The device has a virus-killing effect when the drug in the product is sprayed on the nasal mucosa and then exposed to an LED light source. The company applied for marketing approval of the nasal spray and its LED device as a bundled product with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

Hanmi Pharmaceutical is planning to import a nasal spray made to prevent and treat Covid-19 infections from Austrian biotechnology firm Marinomed Biotech. The company aims to sell the device in the second half of this year upon regulatory approval. This product will be a follow-up to 'Coldmask', which Hanmi had sold until the first quarter of this year.

SK bioscience is another Korean company that is developing a Covid-19 preventive medicine in the form of a nasal spray. The product forms a protective layer on the inside of the nose to prevent the virus from penetrating the body. A small-scale protein layer disrupts the penetration of the virus, according to the company.

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