The Israeli behind ‘game-changing’ Covid nasal spray who says it’s 99.9% effective in stopping the spread of the Coronavirus

Dr Gilly Regev, who co-founded SaNOtize Research and Development Corp, speaking during a promotional video for its nasal spray

The Israeli co-founder of a nasal spray that kills 99.9% of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, has told Jewish News that she believes the spray will be a game changer in the fight against Covid-19.

Dr Gilly Regev, who co-founded SaNOtize Research and Development Corp. based in Vancouver, Canada explained via telephone that “If you use it daily, I really believe you won’t be affected by Covid-19. We have shown in the clinical trials that the people who used it did not get infected.”

The first UK clinical trials for The SaNOtize Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) begins this week.

The treatment, developed by SaNOtize Research and Development Corp. based in Vancouver, Canada, co-founded by Israeli Gilly Regev, proved 99.9% effective in killing the coronavirus in independent lab tests at Utah State University’s Antiviral Research Institute.

NONS is designed to kill the virus in the upper airways, preventing it from incubating and spreading to the lungs.

Additional studies in rodents with COVID-19 infection showed over 95% reduction within the first day after infection. It is currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials throughout Canada approved by Health Canada, and in other countries.

“We have shown in animals that we can reduce the virus in the nose so I think we have all the science and the data to support this in humans,” says Regev.

Though this is the first trial they have done for early treatment, she is confident that it will prove its efficacy on humans.

Lab tests on the SaNOtize treatment at Utah State University’s Antiviral Research Institute confirmed that the company’s Nitric Oxide Releasing Solution inactivated more than 99.9% of SARs-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, within two minutes.

The SaNOtize treatment is based on nitric oxide, a natural nanomolecule produced by the human body with proven anti-microbial properties shown to have a direct effect on SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. The treatment can be delivered by nasal spray, throat gargle or nasal lavage.

NONS which Regev describes as “a super simple nasal spray” is unique in that it not only creates a preventative barrier but also kills the virus too.

“We call it ‘the hand sanitiser for the nose’ because the idea is everyone will carry it in their pocket like they carry a hand sanitizer today and so prevent people getting infected so we can get out of this!” she explains.

Another reason Regev is so “confident of its efficacy” is because pre-Covid, it was being used to treat other diseases such as acne, athlete’s foot and even the flu.

“I have always used the spray before and after getting on the plane to prevent getting the flu.” she adds.

Born and raised in Israel, Dr Gilly Regev completed a PhD in Biochemistry at the Hebrew University before moving to Canada 16 years ago.

While in Canada, she met her business partner, Dr Chris Miller, who introduced her to “the crazy world of nitric oxide.” Not only was this an area of science Regev found “fascinating” but it also meant that she “could do some good in the world and help people.”

For Regev, that is the ultimate goal. She hopes that after the trial, the spray will be available to purchase over the counter by anyone “as there is no risk”.

“It will be pretty inexpensive”, Regev adds, “because our goal is that everyone can use it and so eventually, we can get it to some of the third world countries and be able to help with the spread of the disease there.”

She says they are already doing work in countries like Malaysia, “to help those that cannot afford vaccines or some of the more expensive treatment.”

Regev notes that Israel is already looking to approve the spray as a medical device, where “we already have a lot of interest,” she adds.

She says that so far, none of the 200 people that have trialled the spray, have shown any side effects.

Rob Wilson, a former British government minister who represents SaNOtize in the UK and EU, is overseeing the trial.

“If, as we expect, the current Phase II results in Canada confirm the very encouraging results received from the Antiviral Research Institute and ongoing studies at Colorado State University SaNOtize will be seeking emergency approval in Canada to proceed directly to Phase IV introduction of the product to the market as part of the continuing global fight against this deadly pandemic,” said Wilson.

“Any intervention for treating coronavirus – the virus responsible for Covid-19 – is to be welcomed. The fact that a relatively easy and simple nasal spray could be an effective treatment is welcome news and offers a significant advance in our therapeutic armoury against this devastating disease. Ashford and St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be at the forefront of trialling this intervention,” said Pankaj Sharma MD PhD FRCP, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Research at Royal Holloway, University of London.

https://www.rn.com/headlines-in-health/zicam-alert/

Zicam Alert: FDA Recalls Popular Cold Remedy
Zicam

Americans have been battling with the common cold for generations, seeking a remedy that alleviates the symptoms and shortens the duration of the virus. Zicam, was designed to be just that—an over-the-counter remedy, introduced in a nasal spray, that would relieve symptoms associated with colds and influenza. Manufactured and marketed by Mattrix Initiatives as a homeopathic remedy, Zicam quickly became a popular choice for anyone suffering with sneezes, coughs and a runny nose.

As early as 2003, however, reports were released that Zicam’s intranasal products caused an extensive and severe burning sensation in the nose, with a resultant loss of smell after a short period of time (hours to days). Most affected people experienced a total loss of smell, with little or no return in their smell function. There was no warning of this possible side effect on the product labels.

The mechanism responsible for these alterations in smell function is the active ingredient in Zicam, which is zinc.gluconate. While zinc is critical for maintenance of normal smell function through its action as a cofactor in carbonic anhydrase VI, when administered directly into the nostrils at high concentrations, it can initiate direct toxic destruction of the olfactory epithelium with which it comes into contact in its spray form.

The associated nasal burning is another manifestation of this local toxicity. In previous animal studies, direct insertion of zinc into the nostrils initiated total loss of smell function. Examination of the olfactory epithelium in these animals after zinc application showed destruction of this tissue. In animals, some regeneration of the olfactory epithelium occurs over time with some return of smell function. However, mice and rats are quite different from humans, and the question of return of smell function after Zicam use in humans remains unanswered.

On June 16, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted consumers and members of the healthcare community to discontinue the use of three Zicam Cold Remedy products. In the FDA’s warning letter, they also warned the makers of Zicam to stop selling the defective products. In response to the warning, Matrixx recalled Zicam Cold Remedy Gel Swabs, both the adult and children’s versions, and Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel.

The FDA warning was based on more than 130 consumer reports of anosmia (a condition marked by a total loss of smell) linked to Zicam use. In most cases, anosmia is a permanent condition that can also affect one’s ability to taste.

In addition to the reports received by the FDA, there have been a significant number of people who claim to have suffered from anosmia following their Zicam use. In fact, 340 Zicam lawsuits were filed and settled in 2006, all of which involved cases of anosmia.

Despite the FDA’s warning letter, Matrixx still stands by its products. The company posted a letter on their web site noting that the company plans to meet with the FDA to “vigorously defend its scientific data.” Meanwhile, they are complying with the FDA and have withdrawn the suspicious Zicam swabs and nasal gel products.

The FDA has also asked that consumers and healthcare professionals report all cases of anosmia, to the FDA’s MedWatch program. You may contact MedWatch by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088 or on the MedWatch website: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/ucm085568.htm.

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