A study of frontline workers is looking into how a Boots nasal spray could prevent Covid-19.
Research involving 480 frontline NHS workers is under way to investigate how the spray, created by Nottinghamshire's largest company, could also reduce the severity of symptoms.
Boots Dual Defence, which contains Carragelose (a patented version of iota-carrageenan), a form of seaweed, is being looked at by researchers at Swansea University.
Boots Dual Defence is already clinically proven to help shorten the duration and severity of cold and flu-like symptoms, and new test tube laboratory study results suggest that Carragelose could also reduce the risk of an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19.
Now a new clinical trial, ICE-COVID, will investigate whether Dual Defence can either prevent Covid-19 infection or reduce severity of symptoms in humans compared with placebo.
Dr Zita Jessop, the Principal Investigator for the clinical trial and clinician scientist at Swansea University, said: “After seeing the effects of this pandemic on colleagues caring for patients with Covid-19, we wanted to find a way for research to help protect frontline NHS staff.
"Previous studies highlighted the effectiveness of iota-carrageenan-based nasal sprays against coronaviruses, indicating promise against SARS-Cov-2. If the results of this randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial are positive, as we expect, this has the potential to add an extra prevention strategy in the fight against Covid-19.”
Richard Evans, Executive Medical Director, Swansea Bay University Health Board, added: “We’re delighted that Swansea Bay University Health Board is able to contribute to this research. Although the prospect of effective vaccines is now on the horizon, it’s still vitally important that we explore all opportunities to investigate new treatments for Covid-19 and we’re pleased to be playing a part in that global effort.”
It is anticipated that results of ICE-COVID will be published in March 2021.
