Researchers from Swansea University, in collaboration with Freie Universität Berlin and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, have developed a synthetic particle designed to block Covid-19 infection. The particle, called a glycosystem, mimics natural sugars found on human cells that are often targeted by viruses at the start of infection.
The glycosystem is constructed from polysialosides, which are repeating units of sialic acid. By replicating this structure, the molecule serves as a decoy for the virus’s spike protein, preventing it from attaching to real cells. Unlike vaccines that work by triggering an immune response, this approach acts as a physical barrier to infection.
Laboratory tests showed that the glycosystem binds to the virus 500 times more strongly than similar compounds without sugars and is effective at low doses against both the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and the D614G variant. Experiments using human lung cells demonstrated a 98.6% reduction in infection when treated with the molecule. Researchers attribute its effectiveness not only to its charge but also to its precise sugar structure.
Dr Sumati Bhatia, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at Swansea University and main corresponding author of the study, said: “Leading this research, alongside our international partners, has been incredibly rewarding. It opens a new direction for using glycosystems as a therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2 and could lay the foundation for a new class of antiviral therapies to protect those most at risk.”
The team plans further biological testing in high-containment laboratories to evaluate how well the molecule works against different virus strains.
This development may lead to new antiviral products such as nasal sprays or surface disinfectants aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from Covid-19 and potentially other future pandemics.