Multicentric research and clinical trials to study the effect of nitric oxide on COVID-19 are underway at Harvard University, Air Force Medical University (China), University Health Network, Tufts Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Uppsala University and Xijing Hospital since the beginning of 2020.

 

Åke Lundkvist, a professor at Uppsala University, who led a study says, “To our knowledge, nitric oxide is the only substance shown so far to have a direct effect on SARS-CoV-2,” https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2020.101734

 

Nitric oxide has shown to inhibit the replication cycle of SARS-CoV-1/SARS-CoV-2. It blocks the ACE-2 receptor essential for the virus to infect our cells. Recent studies have reported lower NO levels in patients with COVID-19, which appears to be closely related to vascular dysfunction and immune inflammation among them. Lower levels of NO have also been noted in smokers.

 

Phase 2 clinical trials of post-exposure nitric oxide aerosol are in progress. The SaNOtize Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) being developed by Canada-based SaNOtize Research and Development Corp. has been 99.9% effective at killing the coronavirus within 2 minutes in their Phase 1 clinical trials. Scientists believe the coronavirus is transmitted via airborne droplets to the mucous membranes of the nose, where it is replicated during a three-day incubation period. It damages the cells of the nasal mucosa and is then transported into the nasal secretions to the inferior respiratory tract, leading to the danger of fatal viral pneumonia. The SaNOtize Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) is designed to kill the virus in the upper airways, before it spreads to the lungs, as a post-exposure measure just like we sanitize our hands.

 

Dr. Chris Miller, Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder, (SaNOtize), a pioneer in nitric oxide technology and therapeutic research (over 25 years) says, “If someone sneezes on you, or you think you’re exposed to Covid, you pull it out of your purse or your pocket, you spray, and that prevents the virus from infecting you.”

 

The nasal spray is not an alternative to a vaccine, but an immediate off-the-shelf product. It can be used several times during the day, and this can in fact be the next step towards the resumption of our normal past social life, work and travel. The assurance that even if we inhale the virus, we can destroy it by routinely applying the SaNOtize solution is very encouraging.