Objectives : Bney Brak city tops Israel’s COVID-19 infection rate and mortality. Before the Jewish New Year (two-day gathering) SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity rates were 17.6% and reached 28.1% two weeks later Taffix – an innovative nasal powder creates a protective gel over the nasal mucosa blocking viruses from infecting nasal cells, was tested for efficacy in preventing SARS CoV2 infection. Methods : In a prospective users survey, 243 members of an ultra-orthodox community that participated in two days prayers were followed for 14 days following this ‘superspread’ event. Eighty-three used Taffix throughout holiday’s prayers and the following two weeks (ITT). Eighty-one used it regularly (PP). Two used it rarely if at all. The remaining 160 did not use Taffix. Results : After 14 days, 0/81 (0%) of (PP) Tafffix users, 2/83 (2.4%) of (ITT) Taffix users and 16/160 (10%) nonusers were infected. Odds ratio for infection among Taffix users was 0.22, a reduction of 78% (95%CI 1%–95%). No side effects reported. Conclusion : Taffix could be an additional tool against COVID19 spread, in addition to recommended safety measures. This is the first time that a prevention measure of SARS-CoV-2, beyond the use of masks, has proved effective.

Introduction: The city of Bney Brak, Israel, (population 210,000 mostly ultra-orthodox Jews) tops Israel list of COVID-19 infection rate and mortality. In mid-September before the Jewish New Year (an intensive two day gathering for prayers) PCR positivity rates were 17.6% and those climbed to 28.1% two weeks later Taffix - is an innovative nasal powder inhaler that creates a protective gel layer over the nasal mucosa and effectively blocks viruses from infecting the nasal cells. Taffix is approved for use in Europe and Israel. In vitro studies demonstrated that Taffix blocks viruses (including SARS- CoV-2) from infecting human cells (<99% ). It is well established that the nose is the main gateway of SARS- CoV-2 to the body. Taffix™ was developed as an additional virus protective tool beyond the currently recommended preventive measures. Methods: In a prospective users survey, 243 members of a Jewish ultra-orthodox synagogue community in Bney Brak that participated in the two days holidays prayers (7 hours spent daily in the synagogue) were followed up for the following 14 days to measure the effect of Taffix in this potentially “super spread” ( post mass gathering) event . 83 collected and used Taffix throughout Rosh Hashana prayers and for the following two weeks (intention to treat group, ITT) . 81 of them used it regularly as instructed ( per protocol, PP) while two used it rarely if at all. The remaining 160 did not use Taffix . Results: At the end of the two weeks follow up - in the ITT population, 2/83 (2.4%) of the Taffix users and 16/160 (10%) of the Taffix non users were infected. The odds ratio for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Taffix users were 0.22 (0.05-0.99, Mid P exact =0.028), a reduction of 78% (95%CI 1%-95%) in odds of infection. No side effects were reported. Conclusion: We suggest that Taffix can be an additional powerful tool against COVID19 spread. To our knowledge this is the first time that any measure to prevent infection in SARS-CoV-2 virus, beyond the use of masks. was proven effective.

Introduction: While vaccination efforts against SARS-CoV-2 around the world are ongoing -, new high-infectious variants of the virus are being detected. The protection of the available vaccines against some of the new variants is weaker, and experts are concerned that newer as yet undescribed variants of this mutated RNA virus will eventually prove stable against the current vaccines. Additional preventive measures will therefore be needed to protect the population until effective vaccinations are widely available.TaffiX® is a personal, anti-viral nasal powder spray comprised of low pH Hypromellose that upon insufflation into the nose creates a thin gel layer covering the nasal mucosa and forming a protective mechanical barrier that prevents viruses from engaging with nasal cells- the main portal of entry for viruses. Taffix is commercially available in many countries across Europe, Asia America and Africa. In a prior preclinical study, TaffiX® was found to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 Hong Kong/VM20001061/2020 in experimental in vitro conditions. A real-life clinical survey demonstrated that TaffiX® nasal spray significantly reduced the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate post mass-gathering event in a highly endemic community.Objective: The current study aimed to test the protective effect of Taffix against new pathogenic, highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro: the “British” B.1.1.7 (hCoV-19/Israel/CVL-46879-ngs/2020) and the “South African” B.1.351 (hCoV-19/Israel/CVL-2557-ngs/2020) variants.Study design: A TaffiX® gel was formed on a nylon filter, using an amount equivalent to a clinical dose of Taffix . Filters were then seeded with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (“British”) and B.1.351 (“South African”) variants. After a 10 -minute incubation at room temperature, the bottom of each filter was washed, and the resulting flow-through was collected and seeded into 24 -well plates containing Vero-E6 cells. After 5 days of incubation, a 200 µl sample from each well was taken for viral RNA extraction followed by SARS-CoV 2 RT-PCR analysis.Results: The TaffiX® gel completely blocked SARS-CoV-2 highly infectious variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in vitro, reducing the titer of recoverable infectious virus as well as viral RNA by 100%.Conclusions: Under in vitro conditions, TaffiX® formed an effective protective barrier against SARS-COV-2 variants (British variant and South African Variant). These results are consistent with prior findings demonstrating the in vitro high efficacy of Taffix gel in preventing viruses from reaching cells and infecting them. These results, added to clinical real-life studies performed with Taffix , support its use as an effective barrier against new variants of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunction with other protective measures.

While vaccination efforts against SARS-CoV-2 around the world are ongoing, new highly infectious virus variants continue to evolve. The protection provided by the available vaccines against some of the new variants is weaker. Additional preventive measures will therefore be needed to protect the population until effective vaccinations are widely available. TaffiX® is an anti-viral nasal powder spray comprised of low-pH hypromellose, which forms a protective mechanical barrier that prevents viruses from engaging with nasal cells. The current study aimed to test the protective effect of Taffix against Alpha (B.1.1.7; hCoV-19/Israel/CVL-46879-ngs/2020), Beta, (B.1.351; hCoV-19/Israel/CVL-2557-ngs/2020) and Delta (B.1.617.2; hCoV-19/Israel/VVL-12806/2021), three highly infectious and pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 strains. A nylon filter was treated with Taffix® gel, after which SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta or Delta was seeded. After a 10-min incubation, the downstream side of each filter was washed, and the rinse was collected and placed over Vero-E6 cells. After 5 days of incubation, viral RNA was extracted and subjected to SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR analysis. Taffix® fully blocked passage of all three tested SARS-CoV-2 variants, as demonstrated by a 100% reduction of recoverable viral RNA from Vero-E6 cells treated with filter rinse. These results support its use as an effective barrier against new variants of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunction with other protective measures.

The city of Bney Brak, Israel, (population 210,000 mostly ultra-orthodox Jews) tops Israel list of COVID-19 infection rate and mortality. In mid-September before the Jewish New Year (an intensive two day gathering for prayers ) PCR positivity rates were 17.6% and those climbed to 28.1% two weeks later.Taffix - is an innovative nasal powder inhaler that creates a protective gel layer over the nasal mucosa and effectively blocks viruses from infecting the nasal cells. Taffix is approved for use in Europe and Israel. In vitro studies demonstrated that Taffix blocks viruses (including SARS- CoV-2) from infecting human cells (<99% ). It is well established that the nose is the main gateway of SARS- CoV-2 to the body. Taffix™ was developed as an additional virus protective tool beyond the currently recommended preventive measures.In a prospective users survey, 243 members of a Jewish ultra-orthodox synagogue community in Bney Brak that participated in the two days holidays prayers (7 hours spent daily in the synagogue) were followed up for the following 14 days to measure the effect of Taffix in this potentially “super spread” ( post mass gathering) event . 83 collected and used Taffix throughout Rosh Hashana prayers and for the following two weeks (intention to treat group, ITT) . 81 of them used it regularly as instructed ( per protocol, PP) while two used it rarely if at all. The remaining 160 did not use Taffix .At the end of the two weeks follow up - in the ITT population, 2/83 (2.4%) of the Taffix users and 16/160 (10%) of the Taffix non users were infected. The odds ratio for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Taffix users were 0.22 (0.05-0.99, Mid P exact =0.028), a reduction of 78% (95%CI 1%-95%) in odds of infection. No side effects were reported.We suggest that Taffix can be an additional powerful tool against COVID19 spread. To our knowledge this is the first time that any measure to prevent infection in SARS-CoV-2 virus, beyond the use of masks. was proven effective.