The European Union is investing €20 million in the development, by a Dutch laboratory, of a nasal spray that offers a new, non-vaccine approach to combating viral respiratory infections, whether seasonal or pandemic.
Leyden Labs’ nasal spray project is designed to deliver broad-spectrum antibodies to the respiratory mucosa, acting before the virus reaches the circulatory system.
These antibodies aim to protect against entire families of viruses, remaining effective even as the viruses mutate and evolve. This strategy could also benefit those who do not respond adequately to vaccines or choose not to be vaccinated, according to the European Commission and the European Investment Bank.
“It is urgent to invest in initiatives that ensure Europe is prepared to face a viral pandemic,” said Koenraad Wiedhaup, co-founder and CEO of Leyden Labs. “This concern is more pressing than ever due to the increasing threat of an avian flu outbreak.”
For Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Crisis Preparedness, the importance of the project cannot be overstated. “Respiratory viruses affect us all, particularly those who are medically vulnerable,” she commented.
The European Commission is involved in the project through its Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), established in September 2021 in response to the coronavirus crisis.
