Scientists at Leiden Labs in the Netherlands have developed a nasal spray designed to prevent seasonal influenza, a respiratory infection affecting up to a billion people annually and causing hundreds of thousands of deaths.
The spray contains the antibody CR9114, which, unlike traditional vaccines that target specific strains, can recognize nearly all influenza A and B viruses and block infection when applied directly to the nostrils.
Initial trials involved 143 volunteers aged 18 to 55, who received either one or two doses daily for two weeks. Researchers monitored how long the antibody remained in the nose and tested its ability to neutralize live influenza viruses in laboratory conditions.
Results showed that twice-daily doses were optimal, with the antibody effectively neutralizing influenza A and B without serious side effects. Direct nasal application achieved antibody concentrations up to 4,600 times higher than conventional intravenous injections, using smaller doses.
Despite these promising findings, further studies are required to determine the spray’s effectiveness against natural infections and its potential to prevent virus transmission among people.
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