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KIST Launches Nano-Optic Nasal Disinfection Spray (May 12, 2022)
- Date : 2022-06-03
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International Cooperation Team
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KIST Launches Nano-Optic Nasal Disinfection Spray
COVID-19, which has changed the daily lives of people around the world, is set to become endemic. The Korean disease control authorities eased social distancing measures at the end of April, and lifted the outdoor mask mandate on May 2. However, despite relaxing the rules regarding wearing masks, which was considered one of the biggest inconveniences during the pandemic, there has still been no significant change in our daily lives. This is because many people have kept wearing their masks despite the discomfort due to the nature of COVID-19, which is transmitted through the respiratory system.
Against this backdrop, the Korea Institute of Science and
Technology (KIST; President: Dr. Seok-Jin Yoon) announced that D.R.NANO (CEOs: Mr.
Jong Moon Kim, Sun Mi Kim), which was founded through technology investments,
developed and certified a nasal medical device that reacts to light and removes
foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. Coming in the form of a spray
that moisturizes the nasal mucous membranes, it creates a transparent “mask” while
eliminating the need to wear a physical mask.
In 2015, D.R.NANO was established through an investment
from KIST into the fundamental technology for cancer treatment developed by Dr.
Sehoon Kim’s research team. This technology improves transmission and delivery
efficiency to cells and tissues using nanoparticles from electrolytic drugs or other
biocompatible substances. By combining this technology with wide-range of
treatment effects, an IP portfolio for treatment and diagnosis for various
indications was established and R&D was carried out. One of the resulting
technologies, the “RHINOdeLIGHT,” received approval for sale as a medical
device on April 18th and will soon be on the market.
The RHINOdeLIGHT is a nasal management device that is directly
sprayed onto the nasal mucous membrane to protect it by removing foreign
substances. When irradiated with light from an LED source, the methylene blue
nanoparticles (NanoMB) in the RHINOdeLIGHT react with the surrounding oxygen
and eliminate more than 95% of the type A influenza and yellow staphylococcus
aureus viruses from NHNE cells. In addition, it suppresses proliferation by
preventing the replication of the coronavirus, and in animal models infected
with the type A influenza virus, was found to reduce lung inflammation and
edema. After foreign bodies such as bacteria and viruses are eliminated, the NanoMB
itself is also decomposed by light, ensuring safety without bio-stimulation.
A representative from D.R.NANO stated, “Although existing
light-reactive products using similar principles could previously only be used
in a limited number of places, such as hospitals and operating rooms, because
they required a high-power laser light source, this device has the advantage of
being usable at home and the office because it utilizes wide-range of LED light
sources.”
The President of KIST, Dr. Yoon, commented, “This is a meaningful achievement that has led to the establishment of a bio-venture with an excellent fundamental technology developed by KIST and the approval of sales of a medical device through continuous follow-up research.” He also stated, “In the future, KIST will quickly respond to social issues and make efforts to pursue the commercialization of excellent technologies.”