Intranasal fusion inhibitory lipopeptide prevents direct-contact SARS-CoV-2 transmission in ferrets
… a SARS-CoV-2 specific lipopeptide as a candidate antiviral for pre-exposure and early post-exposure prophylaxis for SARS-CoV-2 transmission in humans
… Mustelids are highly susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2, as also illustrated by frequent COVID-19 outbreaks at mink farms
… efficiently and reproducibly transmitted the virus to all mock-treated acceptor
… the striking difference between the mock treated and the peptide treated animals
… No infectious virus was isolated from lipopeptide-treated ferrets, while infectious virus was detected in all mock-treated ferrets
… is the first successful prophylaxis that prevents SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a relevant animal model, providing complete protection during a 24-hour period of intense direct contact
… does not require refrigeration and can easily be administered, making it particularly suited to treating hard-to-reach populations
… is feasible for advancement to human use and should readily translate into a safe and effective nasal spray