Summary
Efficacy of iota-carrageenan nasal and throat spray prophylaxis for healthcare professionals treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic – A double blind randomised placebo-controlled trial.
At present, vaccines form the only mode of prophylaxis against COVID-19. The severity of COVID-19 infection is thought to be associated with the initial viral load and for infection to occur, viruses including SARS-CoV-2 must first penetrate the respiratory mucus and attach to the host cell surface receptors. Carrageenan, a sulphated polysaccharide extracted from red edible seaweed, has shown efficacy against a wide range of viruses in clinical trials through prevention of viral entry into respiratory host cells. This clinical trial was designed to investigate the efficacy of carrageenan nasal and throat sprays in reducing the rate and severity of COVID-19 infection. If proven effective, the self-administered prophylactic spray would have wider utility for key workers and the general population.
Funder: Wallgreens Boots Alliance
Commercial partner: Marinomed Biotech AG
Contact Details
Trial Manager / Lead Contact: Dr Kym Carter
Phone: 01792 606372
Email: k.carter@swansea.ac.uk
IRAS ID: 283187;