Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYTO) has announced positive efficacy data from the study of its Bentruo nasal spray against the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
Bentrio applied to nasal cavity to protect against virus
Bentrio is a drug-free nasal spray that protects against allergens and airborne viruses and has previously shown promising results in a test against the virus’s Alpha version. Bentrio produces a protective gel coating on the nasal mucosa after being inserted into the nose. This thin coating is intended to prevent viruses or allergens from coming into contact with cells.
In the Delta variant trial, Bentrio or saline placebo were given once a day for four days after viral inoculation of reconstructed nasal epithelial cells from human donors, either prophylactically 10 minutes before or therapeutically 24 hours after viral inoculation. SARS-CoV-2 reproduced efficiently in saline-treated control conditions, leading to a rapid increase in the virus. On Days 3 and 4, however, both therapeutic and prophylactic therapy with Bentrio led to significantly lower viral titers, with -83 percent when the application was commenced before infection and -69 to -85 percent when the application began after the infection had already begun.
Bentrio effective against Delta virus
Altamira Therapeutics CEO, chairman, and founder Thomas Meyer stated, “We are very pleased to see the protective effects of Bentrio against SARS-CoV-2 confirmed also with the highly contagious and fast replicating Delta variant. These fresh results provide further support for the broad applicability of Bentrio. By forming a protective film on the nasal mucosa and trapping particles, Bentrio has a purely physical mode of action and is thus suitable for use across different types of viruses and virus variants. We look forward to continuing the commercial roll out of the product, making it available to all those seeking protection.”
Altamira hopes to confirm Bentrio’s safety and efficacy in a COVID-19 clinical study, as previously disclosed. While waiting for research approval from India’s Drugs Controller General, the company is planning another experiment, which might be undertaken instead of or in addition to the one planned in India.
