Engineered Intranasal Virus Trap Provides Effective Protection Against SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection in Hamsters

As face masks are no longer required in many public areas, SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread and pose health risks vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals. This study presents development of an Fn-LCB1-based engineered intranasal virus trap (EIVT) designed capture neutralize multiple variants, limiting viral infection transmission. Fn-LCB1, a fusion protein consisting Fn domain that binds fibronectin LCB1 with high affinity for Spike receptor-binding (RBD) viruses, can be produced on large scale purified soluble form thermal stability. In vitro experiments demonstrated efficient neutralization wildtype several including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Delta (B.1.617.2), Omicron (B.1.1.529) by Fn-LCB1. Additionally, Fn-LCB1 effectively protected against noncontact transmission Syrian hamster model. establishes potent prophylactic agent vivo, serves proof-of-concept application proteins respiratory viruses reduce live cell infections competing receptors.