A no-frills nasal spray could potentially provide effective protection against “deadly respiratory infections” and Covid-19, tests on mice suggest, the German news agency (dpa) reported, citing a study.

In findings published in the journal Advanced Materials, a team of Massachusetts-based medics and scientists said their “radically simple” Pathogen Capture and Neutralising Spray (PCANS), could be a “promising daily-use prophylactic against respiratory infections”.

“PCANS has the potential to provide an additional layer of protection against respiratory infections when...