ISLAMABAD: Trials of the newly developed nitric oxide nasal spray (NONS) have been conducted in London on 80 patients and it has been found to work exceptionally well against Covid-19 and its other variants.

This information was shared by Dr Isaac John, associate director of Research and Development at St Peter’s Hospitals (NHS Foundation Trust London) and a senior lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London, during a lecture organised by the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) on Wednesday.

He said the two stages that the spray acts is before a person is infected with Covid-19 and afterwards. If used before infection, it reduces the chances of entry and replication of the virus inside the respiratory tract whereas if people already diagnosed with the virus use the spray, it encapsulates the virus and inhibits its replication, ultimately reducing the chances of infection.

Dr Isaac John also emphasised on the importance of vaccination while telling participants about NONS treatment and breathe test for Covid-19 diagnosis.

As part of its science popularisation activity, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) organised the lecture. Dr Isaac is the associate director of Research and Development at St Peter’s Hospitals (NHS Foundation Trust London) and a senior lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London.

A large number of students, researchers and academicians from Quaid-i-Azam University, National University of Sciences and Technology (Nust) and other science and technology organisations were present.

While addressing the audience, PSF Chairman Prof Dr Shahid Mahmood Baig highlighted various activities of the foundation that are carried out for promotion of science in the country.

He emphasised on importance of science and technology for socio economic development of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2022