By Eli Hughes–
The University of Louisville received $8.5 million in December for funding the development and testing of a nasal spray using a compound that has shown success in inhibiting the virus that causes COVID-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2. The funding will be provided by the Department of Defense and will allow researchers to create the nasal spray and complete the phase one clinical trial.
The project makes use of a protein known as Q-Griffithsin, which was developed and co-owned by U of L. The protein was originally discover in red algae, but it can be easily replicated in tobacco plants, which are more accessible in Kentucky.