A drug-free nasal spray for personal protection against airborne allergens that was developed by a Bermudian-headquartered company has tested successfully for the absence of more than 230 prohibited substances listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Altamira Medica Ltd, an associate company of island-based Altamira Therapeutics Ltd, said that this finding further confirms that its preservative-free, drug-free Bentrio nasal spray for allergic rhinitis is suitable for athletes who must comply with anti-doping regulations but at the same time need to protect themselves against airborne allergens or other particles.

“Many athletes have to walk a tightrope when seeking to legitimately prevent allergic rhinitis or find relief from allergy symptoms while avoiding inadvertent conflicts with anti-doping regulations”, said Thomas Meyer, Altamira’s founder, chairman and chief executive.

“With today’s sensitive analytical methods, athletes may, for example, trigger positive doping test results when taking treatments or supplements which are contaminated with prohibited substances. Or in other cases, the treatment or supplement may contain a substance which is permitted when taken with certain products, but prohibited when taken in other forms, eg, through a different administration route.”

Mr Meyer added: “By its design as a drug-free and preservative-free nasal spray which acts by forming a protective barrier on the nasal mucosa, and by the choice of ingredients, Bentrio is already well suited for compliant use by athletes. The rigorous screening of Bentrio for a standard panel of prohibitive substances by one of the world’s leading anti-doping laboratories, which showed negative results across the board, further confirms its suitability for athletes.”

Altamira Therapeutics holds a 49 per cent stake (with additional economic rights) in Altamira Medica AG, which holds its commercial-stage legacy asset Bentrio.

Founded in 2003, Altamira is headquartered in Bermuda, with its main operations in Basel, Switzerland.