Birmingham researchers work on revolutionary approach to prevent hay fever

Birmingham Biotech LTD has been highly commended in the Department for Business & Trade's Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards, for a nasal spray formulated by Birmingham scientists during the COVID pandemic to protect against infection by airborne viruses.

The NoriZite nasal spray is now sold in over 10 countries, and Professor Liam Grover and Dr. Richard Moakes from the University's Healthcare Technologies Institute are working with Birmingham Biotech to perfect a new formulation, for a drug-free nasal spray to prevent hay fever.

The original formulation was created in 2020^1,2, when the researchers set themselves the challenge of engineering a 'non-drip' nasal spray that could cover the inside of the nose evenly and stay in place for a sufficient length of time to provide an effective barrier. It contains natural ingredients, 'plumes' rather than 'jets' when applied with a nasal spray applicator, provides more than six times the coverage of standard sprays, is retained in the nose for up to six hours.

NoriZite was launched in 2022, initially in Singapore, but with rapid sales, it was rapidly rolled out to other countries in the world.

Subsequent research discovered the nasal spray could block pollen, allergens, and dust, and the scientists are now engaged on making slight adjustments to the formulation, to produce a spray that is specific to the needs of people with hay fever (allergic rhinitis).

While current therapeutic approaches for hay fever focus on managing the symptoms, the new spray will be drug-free preventative measure for people who are triggered by airborne allergens.

Professor Grover said, "Unlike pharmaceutical interventions that target specific pathogens or alter the body's response to an allergen, this nasal spray works by forming a physical shield, maintaining the natural integrity of the nasal environment. This makes it an effective safeguard against both emerging viruses and environmental allergens."

The new product for hay fever is expected to come to market in late 2025.

Michael Hsu, Managing Director of Birmingham Biotech said, "We are proud to continue our collaboration with Professor Grover and Dr. Moakes to expand the application of our drug-free preventive technology. By transforming NoriZite into a solution that also protects against allergens, we're offering a safe, accessible and science-backed alternative for the millions who suffer from hay fever each year."

More information:
1. Formulation of a composite nasal spray enabling enhanced surface coverage and prophylaxis of SARS-COV-2, published in bioRxiv on November 18, 2020, available at: doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.18.388645.

2. Formulation of a Composite Nasal Spray Enabling Enhanced Surface Coverage and Prophylaxis of SARS-COV-2, subsequently published in the journal Advanced Materials on May 31 2021, available at: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202008304
For media information contact Ruth Ashton, University of Birmingham Enterprise, email: r.c.ashton@bham.ac.uk

About the University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world's top 100 institutions, and its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 6,500 international students from nearly 150 countries.
University of Birmingham Enterprise helps researchers turn their ideas into new services, products and enterprises that meet real-world needs. We also provide incubation, and support innovators and entrepreneurs with mentoring, advice, and training, manage the University's Academic Consultancy Service, and University of Birmingham Enterprise Operating Divisions.
More information at www.birmingham.ac.uk/collaborate/enterprise.

About Birmingham Biotech LTD
Birmingham Biotech is a UK-based innovator in protective nasal sprays and biomedical technologies that address critical unmet medical needs. Best known for the NoriZite nasal spray—developed in collaboration with the University of Birmingham—the company focuses on drug-free, barrier-forming formulations designed to shield against airborne viruses and environmental allergens.
More information at www.birminghambiotech.co.uk.

Provided by University of Birmingham