Study Publication: Algae-Derived Nasal Spray Effective as Prophylaxis in
Reducing COVID Infection Among ICU Staff
KIRKLAND, WA – NOVEMBER 16, 2021 -- Amcyte Pharma, a
Seattle-based company dedicated to the development of novel
pharmaceutical products in immunology, announced the U.S. launch of its
Nasitrol® nasal spray for sinus irrigation. In an independent clinical
trial published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of General Medicine,
Nasitrol reduced COVID transmission among ICU staff by nearly 80%,
suggesting it could represent a safe and effective prophylaxis to
prevent transmission of COVID-19.
Nasitrol is a patented nasal spray based on iota carrageenan, a
sulfate polysaccharide synthesized by red algae, with demonstrated
antiviral activity and clinical efficacy as a nasal spray in the
treatment of the common cold. The nasal cavity and the rhinopharynx are
key sites of the initial replication of SARS-CoV-2. Iota-carrageenan is
thought to exert antiviral activity through its interaction with the
viral surface, preventing viral entry and capturing viral particles
released by infected cells. Nasitrol is designed to reduce the viral
load in upper respiratory airways, preventing viruses from proliferating
and spreading into the lungs.
“We are excited to be commercializing Nasitrol nasal spray, a product
that has shown such promise as a prophylaxis against COVID
transmission, in addition to vaccination, hand hygiene, use of personal
protective equipment and social distancing,” said Dr. Gustavo Mahler,
CEO of Amcyte Pharma.
The clinical study was conducted at 8 hospital ICUs with a sample of
394 clinically healthy physicians, nurses and other medical
professionals who provided care to COVID patients and who had not yet
been vaccinated. Study subjects were randomly assigned to receive four
daily doses of Nasitrol spray or placebo for 21 days. The incidence of
COVID-19 infection, as detected with PCR testing, was significantly
lower in the Nasitrol group compared with placebo (1.0% vs 5.0%), a
reduction in risk of 79.8%. The study was led by Dr. Juan M. Figueroa of
The Cesar Milstein Research Institute in Argentina.
Nasitrol is the only nasal spray based on iota carrageenan available
in the US. Nasitrol is available through the company’s web site www.nasitrol.com or by contacting the company at (800) 217-0441 or [email protected].
About Amcyte Pharma
Amcyte’s team has over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical
development and manufacturing. The company has built strong partnerships
with leading academic institutions and clinical groups to develop novel
indications for its portfolio of products. Amcyte’s pipeline includes
over-the-counter products with improved therapeutic profiles against
existing treatments. For more information, please visit www.amcytepharma.com.
Print Page
Email to a Friend
