Virpax Pharmaceuticals announced that a study of its MMS019 powder “masking spray” in mice demonstrated “a marked inhibition of viral replication in the mouse nasal passages” for mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 and then given MMS019 intranasally for 6 days. Virpax licensed MMS019 from Nanomerics in August 2020 and is developing the formulation for the prevention of respiratory viruses.
Lead investigator Krzysztof Pyrc of the Virology Laboratory at the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology commented, “While the initial viral load given to the animals was much higher than what is encountered by humans, we demonstrated an inhibition of viral replication in the nasal passages. This is very exciting as it supports further research on our hypothesis that MMS019 may not only protect users that apply the mask, but also may limit transmission of the virus to others.”
Virpax co-founder and Chief Medical Officer Jeff Gudin said, “In addition to inhibition of viral replication, the study also demonstrated decreased levels of the virus in animal brain tissue, an important observation as recent studies have shown neurological conditions with survivors of severe COVID. We are encouraged by these results and have engaged Syneos Health to assist with our regulatory pathway and drug development trials required to file an NDA for FDA approval.”
Read the Virpax Pharmaceuticals press release.
