COVID nasal spray vaccine set to enter clinical trial in Japan

Shionogi's inoculation method to help emerging nations lacking medical staff

20210928N Nasal vaccine

A nurse gives a nasal spray to administer a vaccine for the H1N1 virus. Shionogi is developing a similar vaccine for the coronavirus. © Getty Images

SOSUKE KARINO, Nikkei staff writer

OSAKA -- Shionogi will start clinical trials for a COVID-19 nasal spray vaccine in fiscal 2022, the Japanese pharmaceutical company announced Tuesday, paving the way for an inoculation method that would benefit countries lacking medical staff.

Shionogi has a licensing agreement with HanaVax to develop a nasal spray vaccine using the venture's proprietary drug delivery system. The technology uses a polysaccharide substance to deliver the vaccine through the nose, inducing immunity in the respiratory system.

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