Israeli biopharma company Nasus Pharma says that it provided its Taffix intranasal hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) powder to members of a synagogue for use during Rosh Hashana celebrations, and worshippers who used Taffix were infected with SARS-CoV-2 at one quarter the rate of those who did not use the nasal powder. The members of the synagogue were in close contact for a total of 14 hours over 2 days. According to Nasus, only 2 out of 83 worshippers who used Taffix were infected compared to 16 out of 160 who did not use Taffix within 14 days after the holiday services.
The company, which is marketing Taffix as protection against viruses in Israel and in Europe, says that the HPMC powder forms an acidic gel layer in the nose that provides both mechanical and chemical protection against viruses for 5 hours. Nasus is also developing intranasal dry powder formulations of naloxone and epinephrine.
Nasus Pharma CEO Dalia Megiddo commented, “These important results conform with prior in vitro studies performed with Taffix that proved its robust activity against the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This is the first clinical real life data showing that the use of Taffix is highly effective even in the worst-case scenario of a super spread event in the heart of the worst hit city in Israel. Reducing the infection risk by 75% or even 100% can dramatically change the means to fight the worst epidemic humanity have witnessed in close to a 100 years.”
Executive Chairman of the Board Udi Gilboa said, “This promising clinical data reinforces the potential of Taffix to become an important solution and the leading additional layer of protection that will enable the resuming of social and economic activities in a much safer manner.”
Read the Nasus Pharma press release.
