Birmingham Biotech Submits IPO Prospectus for NoriZite™ Nasal Spray, a Post-Pandemic 'Invisible Mask' Launched in Over 10 Countries

Recently, topics such as “second-time positive” and reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 have become commonplace on everyone’s social media platforms. In addition to China, many countries and regions around the world, including Japan, Singapore, the United States, and the United Kingdom, have also experienced two waves of COVID-19 outbreaks. This demonstrates that in the post-pandemic era, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 will continue to persist globally.

Currently, routine self-management has become an essential practice for everyone. How can we establish safe and lasting protective barriers in our daily work and life to prevent viral invasion of the body?

In addition to masks and the “old-fashioned” practice of maintaining social distance,Birmingham Biotech, an innovative biotechnology company from the United Kingdom (hereinafter referred to as “Birmingham Biotech”), has introduced a novel solution: BHM NoriZite, an innovative nasal protective spray that provides users with a long-term, safe physical barrier against viruses during daily activities.

The nose directly connects our respiratory tract to the external environment. Pathogenic agents can enter through the nasal cavity, travel down the trachea and bronchi, and reach the lungs directly, making it one of the major portals for viral invasion into the body.As a nasal protective spray, BHM NoriZite creates a physical viral barrier for users in the simplest way possible.

First, the user simply needs to tilt their head back slightly, position the nozzle at the nostrils, and administer two sprays into each nostril to form a protective coating that lasts for more than 6 hours. Reapplication every 6 hours ensures uninterrupted viral protection around the clock.

To verify the protective efficacy of BHM spray against SARS-CoV-2, Birmingham Biotech demonstrated its preventive effects by evaluating SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes in two cell groups, drawing conclusions from comparative fluorescence microscopy images of cells cultured with viral suspensions.

In the first group, which did not receive BHM spray, both SARS-CoV-2 strains infected cells via diffusion, leading to cell death. In the second group, treated with BHM spray, no cellular infection by either strain was observed in the photographs. Comparative results demonstrate that the non-specific targeting mechanism of BHM spray is effective against a broad spectrum of viruses and their variants.

Infection Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 in Two Cell Groups

Provided by the interviewee

It is worth noting that the active ingredient in BHM, NoriZite, possesses no pharmacological properties and therefore does not cause any dependence or drug resistance. It is suitable for long-term daily use, multiple times a day, by children, the elderly, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, individuals with compromised immune systems, and even cancer patients.

Xu Shizhe, founder and CEO of Birmingham Biotech, told VCBeat that the company’s specialized nasal protective spray designed for children aged 3–12 has recently been launched. Compared with the adult version, the pediatric formulation offers a gentler user experience while maintaining protective efficacy, with upgrades to the nozzle and per-actuation dosage tailored to children’s needs.

BHM NoriZite Oral Spray,BHM NoriZite Nasal Spray for Adults, BHM NoriZite Nasal Spray for Children

Photo provided by the interviewee

How does Birmingham Biotech achieve imperceptible, sustained efficacy with its BHM NoriZite product to provide daily protection?

First, this is attributed to Birmingham Biotech's patented formula, NoriZite.This formula consists of two natural gel polymers—carrageenan and gellan gum.

Carrageenan and Gellan Gum

Provided by the interviewee

Carrageenan, a natural substance extracted from red seaweed, exhibits specificity against certain viral proteins and can significantly inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and retroviruses, thereby markedly reducing viral load. This inhibitory effect has been clinically validated worldwide for over a decade.

Birmingham Biotech randomly selected three brands of nasal sprays from the market for a comparative analysis of cytocompatibility. Fluorescence micrographs revealed that, following viral infection, the number of cells treated with non-carrageenan-based nasal sprays decreased. BHM demonstrated higher compatibility with host cells, indicating greater safety for users.

Cell compatibility comparison with other nasal spray products (white dots indicate live cell nuclei)

Photo provided by the interviewee

The addition of gellan gum not only effectively leverages the inherent antiviral properties of carrageenan but also creates a viscous barrier that enhances spray adhesion. This mechanism physically captures and encapsulates viruses, thereby blocking pathogenic agents from contacting the nasal mucosa and facilitating their natural clearance from the body through the nasal passages.

In comparative tests evaluating the virus-blocking efficacy of randomly selected carrageenan nasal spray products on the market, fluorescence micrographs showed no observed infection in cells treated with the high-viscosity BHM nasal spray, whereas some infection was observed in cells treated with other low-viscosity carrageenan nasal sprays available on the market.

Comparative results demonstrate that, among carrageenan-based nasal spray products, BHM exhibits superior viral shielding capability, more effectively capturing viruses and thereby hindering their ability to infect cells via diffusion.

Comparison of antiviral shielding efficacy with other carrageenan nasal spray products (green dots indicate virus-infected cells)

Photo provided by the interviewee

Leveraging a plant-derived natural formula, NoriZite adheres to the nasal mucosa, forming a durable physical barrier that captures airborne viruses and facilitates their removal from the nasal cavity via the body’s innate clearance mechanisms before they can cause infection.

Another major advantage of BHM NoriZite Nasal Protective Spray isPlume Spray.

Compared with the jet spray of typical nasal protective sprays on the market,The feathered spray delivers a finer, broader, and more uniform gel mist, achieving surface coverage six times greater than that of typical nasal sprays on the market.

Jet Spray vs. Plume Spray

Provided by the interviewee

Furthermore, the feather-like spray pattern avoids the discomfort associated with concentrated jet sprays, prevents uneven gel accumulation that could cause rhinorrhea, and forms a protective film on the nasal mucosa. This helps maintain a moist nasal environment, inhibiting bacterial growth while promoting the repair of the user’s nasal mucosa.

In addition to encapsulating and blocking pathogens such as the novel coronavirus and influenza virus, BHM NoriZite’s patented protective coating also prevents irritation and inflammatory responses caused by inhaling allergens and pollutants, thereby treating patients with environmental allergies and helping them achieve immediate relief from nasal discomfort.

Leveraging its robust technical capabilities, Birmingham Biotech has also utilized its innovative patented ingredient, NoriZite, to develop a series of protective products, including oral sprays, mouthwashes, and hand protection gels that provide antiviral protection for the oral cavity.

Birmingham Biotech was founded in 2020, amidst the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, countries and companies worldwide were actively seeking effective solutions to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, even through expedited regulatory pathways, it was impossible to complete the development, approval, and commercial launch of either vaccines or specific therapeutics within a single year.

Xu Shizhe told VCBeat that Birmingham Biotech was founded to find the most effective and safest solution for preventing COVID-19 in the shortest possible time.

Therefore, as a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in the medical device industry, Xu Shizhe co-founded Birmingham Biotech in collaboration with the University of Birmingham.

Leveraging the advantages of the university’s Institute of Healthcare Technology Research in biomedical materials, equipment, and technology, as well as the extensive experience in medical device development possessed by Xu Shizhe and his R&D team, andWith the support of the UK government, Birmingham Biotech obtained valuable SARS-CoV-2 strains during the pandemic and collaborated with the P3 Immunovirology Laboratory at the University of Birmingham,The company has rapidly built a bridge connecting high-end scientific research achievements with commercialized products.

The company has been tirelessly advancing the transition to industrial-scale production during the late stages of product development. Close collaboration among R&D, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs departments has accelerated the product’s registration and market launch.

In just one year, Birmingham Biotech transformed its high-efficiency scientific research achievements into mature products ready for mass production and market launch.

Currently, BHM NoriZite Nasal Protective Spray is available in multiple countries and regions worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Western Europe, the United States, and Singapore. The product is also sold through online and offline channels such as Amazon, Mannings, and Guardian.According to Xu Shizhe, following the initial launch of BHM NoriZite on Amazon UK in October 2022, the product’s average monthly sales growth exceeded 50% for three consecutive months.

Xu Shizhe, a Chinese-British entrepreneur, stated that the company is actively expanding into the Chinese market, and its BHM product series is currently available through official channels such as Douyin and Taobao.Currently, the 10ml BHM nasal spray is priced at 198 RMB on Birmingham Biotech’s official store. The company also plans to establish a manufacturing facility in China, building a localized, full-cycle chain encompassing R&D, manufacturing, and sales.

At the end of the interview, Xu Shizhe introduced to VCBeat that NoriZite is a safe, non-pharmacological, and non-specific technology platform,It is also possible to integrate the active pharmaceutical ingredients with the NoriZite platform through collaborative R&D partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, enabling sustained and stable coverage at the site of administration and ensuring long-term, precise drug release.

The shadow of the pandemic has gradually faded, transitioning into severe seasonal or pandemic influenza. Currently prevalent strains are characterized by high transmissibility but low virulence, as their ultimate objective is to coexist with the host to facilitate reproduction. As stated in Darwin’s On the Origin of Species: natural selection ensures the survival of the fittest.

So, how can humans adapt to coexistence? Perhaps the answer lies in transforming rigid epidemic prevention concepts, helping people of all ages block viral infections in a safer and more effective way, and the NoriZite series products are one of the answers to this problem.