On Jul. 8, 2020, scientists from Texas A&M University, biopharmaceutical company Pulmotect and MD Anderson Cancer Center announced they had begun testing a lung inhalent drug that could provide short-term immunity against COVID-19.

Houston-based company Pulmotect was founded by Magnus Hӧӧk, regents professor at the Texas A&M Health Institute of Biosciences and Technology, and Dr. Burton Dickey, chair of the pulmonary department at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Pulmotect was developing the drug, PUL-042, which could be delivered as an aerosol for short-term protection against lung infections caused by several viruses, bacteria and fungi.

PUL-042 has had limited human testing, and has not shown any serious side effects. Hӧӧk said the drug is unique because it can protect against pneumonia caused by a variety of different microbes, but is most effective against viruses.

PUL-042 is composed of two small synthetic molecules, and works by stimulating specific innate immune receptors in the lung lining within minutes. Hӧӧk said it is believed the drug will be effective in protecting against COVID-19 since animal data shows it protects against other coronaviruses such as MERS and SARS. PUL-042 protection only lasts for approximately three to five days, but is able to be repeatedly administered every third or fourth day.

Pulmotect was approved to begin two human clinical trials by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as of May 5. One of the trials focuses on COVID-19 prevention, and the other is being tested as a treatment, according to the FDA website. The prevention trial will include 200 participants who will be administered four doses of either PUL-042 or a placebo over a 10-day period and will be monitored for 28 days.