Hanmi Pharm Nasal Spray Shows Effectiveness in Blocking COVID-19 Infection

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Hanmi Pharmaceutical's spray-type respiratory virus blocker 'Hanmi Cold Mask' has been shown to have an effect in blocking the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) virus, according to research published in an international academic journal.

The international academic journal Scientific Reports published on the 12th a paper on in vitro cell experiment results evaluating the antiviral activity of lambda carrageenan conducted by the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology. Lambda carrageenan is a natural ingredient extracted from seaweed and is the main component of Hanmi Cold Mask nasal spray.

According to the paper, lambda carrageenan demonstrated antiviral activity more than 15 times superior to remdesivir, a COVID-19 treatment, in experiments conducted on monkey kidney epithelial-derived fibroblasts.

In experiments conducted on dog kidney epithelial-derived cells, it showed antiviral activity similar to or better than previously known chemicals against the influenza virus.

Lambda carrageenan also showed excellent results in the index indicating safety relative to efficacy.

A Hanmi Pharmaceutical official stated, "Using the nasal spray together with a KF-94 mask can effectively block virus penetration through the nose."