Former Reading MP spearheads new Covid nasal spray trials

[Cookham v Coronavirus]

The former MP for Reading East is spearheading a new nasal spray it is claimed can block viruses entering the body.

Rob Wilson lost his seat to Matt Rodda in the election of 2017, but is now back in an entirely different role, representing the new SaNOTize spray in the UK and the EU.

The first clinical trials of the new spray were set to begin on Monday, January 11 at Ashford and St Peter's Hospital Trust in Surrey. Trials are also underway in Canada and will soon start in the USA.

It is claimed the nasal spray kills 99.9 per cent of coronavirus in lab tests and blocks viral entry into the body. It can also destroy the virus and prevent it from multiplying.

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

It has been developed by the SaNOTize Research and Development Corp, based in Vancouver.

It 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.

Pankaj Sharma, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Research at Royal Holloway, University of London, said: "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."

Mr Wilson, who held the Reading East seat for the Conservatives between 2005 and 2017, added: “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.

“The vaccination programme is essential, but it will also take time to distribute to the general public. Mutant strains may develop, requiring changes to the vaccine. It is not known how long the immunological protection will last

"It is also unclear if the vaccines will prevent vaccinated people from becoming infected and potentially transmit the virus to other non-protected individuals.

For these reasons it is important to explore and deliver simple, safe and inexpensive therapeutic product solutions over the counter in the UK and EU as soon as possible, which is why I am getting these UK trials, the first in Europe, underway very shortly.

"The nasal spray not only can block entry of the virus, but the active ingredient nitric oxide actually kills the virus and prevents it from multiplying.

"If successful, people in Britain and Europe could have an effective, safe and accessible treatment within months that they can use daily to kill the coronavirus and stop it spreading.”

This simple treatment will assist us in resuming something approaching normal social life, work and travel with some confidence that even if we inhale the virus, we can both protect against it and destroy it by applying the SaNOtize solution on a regular basis,” Mr Wilson said.

“The SaNOtize treatment should be thought of as an effective treatment for the upper airways, similar to when people use hand sanitizers to clean their hands on the outside of the body.

"When people are potentially exposed, they will spray to cleanse their upper airways and kill the virus, before it can cause serious illness."