intranasal heparin sodium (porcine)

This investigational intranasal formulation of porcine-derived unfractionated heparin (UFH) is being developed by Dr. Joshua Sharp at the University of Mississippi for the prophylaxis of COVID-19. Heparin, a highly sulfated polysaccharide biologic, acts as a topical antiviral by mimicking the cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein utilizes for host cell attachment. By binding directly to the spike glycoprotein, the intranasal heparin serves as a decoy receptor, preventing viral entry into nasal epithelial cells. The formulation is currently being evaluated in Phase 0 exploratory clinical trials to assess local tolerability (e.g., epistaxis, anosmia) and systemic absorption (via aPTT and platelet count) in healthy adults, with the goal of providing a safe, non-systemic preventative measure against COVID-19.

Other names

unfractionated heparinUFHporcine heparinheparin sodium (porcine)