povidone-iodine (St. Paul's Hospital)

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is a broad-spectrum antiseptic being investigated for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in a clinical program led by St. Paul's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, in collaboration with IVIEW Therapeutics. The study evaluates multiple topical formulations, including a 0.23% PVP-I sinus rinse and throat gargle, and a proprietary 0.6% gel-forming nasal spray designated as IVIEW-1503. PVP-I functions by releasing free iodine, which acts as a potent oxidizing agent that rapidly inactivates pathogens by denaturing viral proteins, disrupting lipid envelopes, and damaging nucleic acids. The IVIEW-1503 formulation utilizes a specialized in-situ gel-forming technology designed to increase the contact time of the antiseptic within the nasal cavity, thereby maximizing the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the nasopharynx and potentially preventing disease progression and transmission.

Other names

Polyvinylpyrrolidone iodinePovidone-iodinePVP-I