First nasal spray for treating adult COVID-19 patients launched in India

Indian pharma company Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, in collaboration with Canadian company SaNOtize Research and Development Crop, announced Wednesday the launch of a nasal spray to treat adults suffering from COVID-19. 

The Nitric Oxide spray will be available in India with the name ‘FabiSpray’ for those adults who have a high risk of progression of the disease. According to a press release by the company, “The spray is designed to kill the COVID-19 virus in the upper airways. It has proven anti-microbial properties with a direct virucidal effect on SARS-CoV-2. NONS when sprayed over nasal mucosa acts as a physical and chemical barrier against the virus, preventing it from incubating and spreading to the lungs.”

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Glenmark had received manufacturing and marketing approval from the Drugs Controller General of India as part of the accelerated approval process. 

The double-blinded phase 3 trials over 20 clinical sites in the country looked at 306 non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients and found that the spray was safe and well-tolerated by all. The use of the spray along with standard supportive treatment led to the reduction in the viral load in the group that received it, resulting in better outcomes than the control group that had not been given the spray. 

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Robert Crockart, Chief Commercial Officer, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said, “As a leading pharmaceutical player, it is important that we are an integral part of India’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. We are happy to receive regulatory approval for Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (FabiSpray®) and launch it in partnership with SaNOtize. This reaffirms our commitment of providing yet another safe and effective antiviral treatment for COVID-19, and we are confident it will offer patients a much needed and timely therapy option,” according to a copy of the release published by PTI.

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Dr Monika Tandon, Senior VP & Head – Clinical Development, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, “The results from this Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial are encouraging. Demonstration of reduction in the viral load has a significant positive impact from a patient and community perspective. In the current scenario, with new emerging variants exhibiting high transmissibility, NONS provides a useful option in India’s fight against COVID-19.”

Glenmark had partnered with the Canadian firm in 2021 to produce and distribute the spray in India and other Asian markets, reported IANS.