Swiss-based pharmaceutical research and development specialist MetP Pharma AG has done precisely that by developing a nasal gel that effectively traps allergens and viruses in the nasal passage.

So far, the nasal gel has been successful in trapping other viruses, and preliminary studies are now underway to test the efficacy of the gel in trapping and deactivating the potentially deadly Covid-19 virus as well.

MetP’s chief science officer and head of research and development, Dr Claudia Mattern believes that the most effective way to slow down or stop the proliferation of the virus and allergens to other organs, is at the main gateway, the nose.

When viruses and allergens enter the nose but are trapped in the nasal passage, for example by a nasal gel, one can potentially prevent the virus or allergen from entering the body and triggering an infection or allergy.

The nasal gel works by directly trapping substances i.e. allergens and viruses, in the nose, but that’s not the only novel feature.

Focus on the nose

“One of the peculiarities of coronaviruses is that they first infect the mucous membranes of the nose and throat,” Mattern said.

“If the coronaviruses are not stopped there, they can enter the lungs and blood, and spread to other organs whose cells express receptors for virus entry – the heart, kidneys and blood vessels throughout the body, including the brain.”

While the lungs are supplied with oxygen from the air by nasal breathing, however, the air also carries potentially health-damaging foreign bodies such as viruses, which can enter through the nose, she explained.

Mattern’s premise is based on findings that it is assumed that the nose, not the throat, is the main gateway for viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus infection.

Prevent the spread post-entry

She cautions, “We must slow down or best stop the proliferation and spread of the virus to other organs, most effectively at the main gateway, the nose.

“The viruses should be stopped there by the body’s own immune defenses, but often the protective barriers of the mucous membranes are not fully functional.”

The loss of the sense of smell in many coronavirus patients, she said, supports the assumption that the nose is the virus’s main gateway.

Destroy, trap and protect

MetP’s nasal gel, using a practical single-use dosing system, builds up an imperceptible barrier on the nasal mucosa (mucous membranes), explained Mattern.

MetP used an engineered 3D tissue model of a normal human airway musoca with high in vitro/in vivo correlation from Geneva-based company Epithelix Sarl to show the barrier effect of the gel.

The study demonstrated a 99% inhibitory effect of MetP’s gel on Rhinovirus A16 genome copies.

“The protection of, as well as a nourishing effect for, the nasal mucosa lasts six to eight hours,” which is why Mattern recommends a twice-daily application, in the morning and early afternoon.

Additionally, coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, reminds Mattern.

Thus, MetP’s nasal gel “contains a special oil-surfactant mixture which dissolves the lipid envelope of the virus,” she explains.

“Damage to this protective lipid membrane compromises the integrity of the virus,” she added, meaning, the virus is rendered less harmful or less active.

“Destroying the virus’ envelope means infection is no longer possible,” Mattern explained, adding, “hand washing with water and soap is successful for the same reason.”

Prevent first, rather than manage later

“You don’t have to reduce the virus concentration in a room to near zero. We assume that a combination of the known protective measures as masks, plus our mucosal protection for the nose, could [help] achieve a superior prevention of viral infections than with masks alone.”

Mattern is not a vaccine sceptic but believes it is better to prevent possible infections than to “combat them tediously afterwards”.

Furthermore, she reiterates that due to the short development time, the effects of the vaccines are not yet fully known – apart from the fact that many patients refuse injections in principle.

Mattern reassures, “The gel, which has a neutral pH and is nourishing for the nasal mucosa, does not burn and does not run out of the nose or back into the pharynx.”

More importantly, she stresses, the nasal gel is multifunctional in relation to virus inactivation by damaging the virus structure.

It is also reported to be free of preservatives, alcohol, paraffin products or fragrances.

MetP is currently in negotiations with industrial partners to register the nasal gel as a pharmaceutical product.