Interferon Nasal Drops for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is currently no effective drug for treating or preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in healthy individuals, relying mainly on physical barriers like masks and isolation clothing.

Innovation Solution

Administering interferon IFN-α1b nasally in a nasal formulation, which can include buffers and excipients, to inhibit viral replication in nasal epithelial cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical barriers like masks and isolation clothing are used for prevention, then infection prevention coverage is provided, but ease of operation and user compliance deteriorate due to discomfort and inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfection prevention coverageVSAvoiduser compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical physical barriers (masks, isolation clothing) with a biochemical system (interferon nasal drops) that provides passive immunological protection. The interferon formulation creates an immunological barrier in the nasal cavity without requiring active mechanical intervention or user compliance with wearing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The interferon nasal drops provide self-service protection by establishing active immunological defense in the nasal cavity. The body's own immune system, enhanced by interferon, automatically detects and responds to viral invasion without requiring continuous external intervention or user awareness, unlike masks that must be continuously worn and adjusted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If interferon is administered nasally to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, then effectiveness in preventing infection improves, but device complexity and formulation requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfection prevention effectivenessVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes critical formulation parameters including pH (5.0-8.0 to match nasal physiology), interferon concentration (1000-3000000 U/ml for therapeutic effect), and osmolarity to ensure both effectiveness and stability. These parameter optimizations enable the complex biological activity of interferon to be delivered reliably through a relatively simple nasal drop formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection effectively, reducing infection rates among populations and medical workers, and preventing the spread of the epidemic.

Implementation Method 1

Administering interferon IFN-α1b nasally in a nasal formulation, which can include buffers and excipients, to inhibit viral replication in nasal epithelial cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterferon-mediated antiviral effect:

Data Source

PatentEP4094774B1Use of interferon in preparing drug for preventing coronavirus infection
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 SHANGHAI GANYI MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Disclosed are a use of an interferon in preparing a drug for preventing novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection or a disease COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus infection, and a drug for preventing novel coronavirus infection or preventing a disease COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus infection.