Nanotech Spray Aims to Block COVID in High-Stakes Human Trial

PETACH TIKVAH, Israel – March 23, 2026 – In a significant push to shield the world's most vulnerable populations from SARS-CoV-2, Israeli biotech firm Interna Therapeutics has announced a landmark agreement with the University of Oxford to test a novel intranasal spray designed to prevent infection. The Phase IIa trial, backed by funding from the Gates Foundation, will employ a human challenge model, representing a bold step forward for RNA-based prophylactic therapies.

The collaboration brings together a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, a world-leading academic institution, and a global health philanthropy to accelerate a potential solution for millions who remain at high risk from COVID-19. The investigational drug aims to create a chemical shield in the nose and respiratory tract, neutralizing the virus at its primary point of entry before it can take hold.

"This collaboration with Oxford University and the support of the Gates Foundation mark a defining moment for the company and for the field of RNA therapeutics," said Yuval Gottenstein, Chief Executive Officer of Interna Therapeutics. "We believe our MNM platform has the potential to protect millions of immunocompromised patients who remain vulnerable today, and also to establish a new paradigm for the prevention and treatment of respiratory viral diseases."

A New Frontline Defense: The Nanotech Shield

At the heart of Interna's approach is a sophisticated drug delivery system called the Molecular Nano-Motor (MNM) platform. The technology is designed to solve one of the biggest hurdles in genetic medicine: getting large therapeutic molecules, like small interfering RNA (siRNA), inside the right cells to do their job.

siRNA therapy works by harnessing a natural cellular process called RNA interference. It uses small, custom-designed strands of RNA to find and silence specific genes. In this case, the siRNA is designed to target a highly conserved gene essential for the SARS-CoV-2 virus's replication. By silencing this gene, the drug effectively cuts the virus's lines of communication, preventing it from multiplying in the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract.

While the concept is powerful, naked siRNA molecules are fragile and struggle to cross cell membranes. Interna's proprietary MNM technology encapsulates the siRNA, protecting it and acting as a key to unlock the target cells. Delivered as a simple, self-administered nasal spray, the platform enables the therapeutic to be applied directly where it is needed most.

This trial follows a successful Phase I study conducted in Israel, which established the safety and tolerability of the intranasal drug in healthy volunteers and served as the first-in-human test of the MNM delivery technology.

"This agreement represents a major step forward in demonstrating the clinical potential of our MNM platform in respiratory viral diseases," stated Prof. Roger Kornberg, a Nobel Laureate and the Scientific President of Interna Therapeutics. He noted that the trial has implications that extend far beyond this single application, highlighting "the broader potential of the Interna platform to address many unmet medical needs."

Protecting the Vulnerable: A Lifeline for the Immunocompromised

While much of the world has moved on from the acute phase of the pandemic, a significant population remains in its shadow. For the approximately 3 million severely immunocompromised individuals in the United States alone—including cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, and those with autoimmune diseases—the threat of COVID-19 remains a daily reality.

These individuals often fail to mount an adequate immune response to vaccination, leaving them with little to no protection. Studies have shown this group accounts for a disproportionate number of severe COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. With the rapid evolution of viral variants rendering many previous antibody therapies ineffective, the need for a durable, variant-proof prophylactic has become critical.

Interna Therapeutics is targeting this exact unmet need. The company estimates a potential U.S. market opportunity exceeding $8 billion annually, a figure that underscores the scale of the ongoing health crisis for this population. By focusing on a highly conserved part of the viral genome, the siRNA approach is designed to be effective against current and future variants of SARS-CoV-2, offering a more resilient form of protection.

The Human Challenge: A High-Stakes Path to Rapid Answers

The decision to use a human challenge model is a calculated one, designed to yield definitive data on the drug's efficacy in a fraction of the time required for a traditional large-scale field trial. These studies, guided by stringent ethical frameworks established by organizations like the World Health Organization, involve intentionally exposing healthy, young adult volunteers to the virus under tightly controlled clinical conditions.

The University of Oxford is a global leader in this field, having established a proven SARS-CoV-2 human challenge model. Participants are quarantined in specialized facilities, monitored around the clock by a dedicated medical team, and have immediate access to therapeutic interventions if they become infected.

The trial will evaluate the prophylactic potential, antiviral efficacy, and safety of the MNM-siRNA drug. By controlling the exact timing and dose of viral exposure, researchers can gain precise insights into how well the drug prevents infection or reduces viral load, providing a clear and rapid signal of its effectiveness.

"We are delighted to utilise the SARS CoV2 human challenge model we have established to evaluate this promising new therapeutic modality," said Helen McShane, Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford, who will lead the study. She expressed enthusiasm for "working together with Interna on this programme of work."

A Strategic Alliance for Global Health

The involvement of the Gates Foundation is more than just financial; it's a powerful endorsement of the technology's potential global health impact. The foundation has committed billions to fighting infectious diseases and has a stated strategic interest in developing new tools for pandemic preparedness, particularly innovative antivirals that can be accessed equitably.

This partnership creates a formidable trio: Interna's cutting-edge science, Oxford's clinical and regulatory expertise in human challenge trials, and the Gates Foundation's global health vision and resources. This convergence is seen by industry analysts as a significant de-risking event for Interna's platform and a positive sign for the broader field of RNA-based antiviral development.

The successful progression of this intranasal siRNA drug through the upcoming Phase IIa trial could not only provide a vital new tool for immunocompromised patients but also validate a platform technology with vast potential. If a simple nasal spray can effectively block a respiratory virus like SARS-CoV-2, it could establish a new paradigm for how society prepares for and responds to future viral threats.