AI-Enhanced Nasal Antiviral Platforms: A Promising Frontier in Influenza Prevention and Management

Seasonal influenza (flu) remains a persistent global health challenge, causing significant morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization annually.

Traditionally, the implementation of vaccines and the symptomatic management of diseases with antiviral medications have helped reduce the disease burden; however, the rapid evolution of influenza viruses and their capacity to evade immune responses continue to fuel ongoing transmission and periodic severe outbreaks. New methods of preventing and treating influenza in the early stages are getting ahead—an AI-engineered intranasal antiviral platform that may offer protection at the point of viral entry.¹

Challenges in Flu Prevention

Even with a multitude of public health measures, the influenza vaccination rate remains inconsistent, and vaccine effectiveness varies with how well the strain matches the season. Currently available antiviral drugs, such as neuraminidase inhibitors and polymerase acidic endonuclease inhibitors, are the option of choice for flu in its early stages, and they show the highest efficacy when given within the first 48 hours of symptom onset. However, access to these drugs and administration at the right time still pose obstacles for many patients, especially those who live in deprived areas.²

AI-Engineered Nasal Antiviral Platforms

An innovative change in this field is the invention of an AI-engineered nasal spray antiviral platform that aims to prevent flu and SARS-CoV-2—the virus responsible for COVID-19—at the primary site of their infection: the nasal mucosa. The scientists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have applied cutting-edge artificial intelligence methods to re-engineer and stabilize interferon-lambda, a component of the body's immune system that is key in antiviral protection in respiratory tissues.³

Interferon-lambda is one of the natural elements that help the body fight respiratory viral infections by signaling nearby cells to heighten their antiviral states. However, the traditional interferon-lambda has a short half-life, quickly broken down by heat, enzymes, and even the mucus produced to remove foreign material from the nasal area. To overcome these hurdles, the KAIST team used AI protein design to enhance the structural stability of interferon-lambda, then paired it with a delivery technology that enhances diffusion and prolongs retention in the nasal mucosa.^1,3

“Through AI-based protein design and mucosal delivery technology, we have simultaneously overcome the stability and retention time limitations of existing interferon-lambda treatments. This platform, which is stable at high temperatures and stays in the mucosa for a long time, is an innovative technology that can be used even in developing countries lacking strict cold-chain infrastructure. It also has great scalability for developing various treatments and vaccines,” said Professor Ho Min Kim. “This is a meaningful achievement resulting from multidisciplinary convergence research, covering everything from AI protein design to drug delivery optimization and immune evaluation through infection models.”²

This redesigned antiviral platform is intended to generate a hostile environment for viral pathogens of the respiratory tract at the very first stage of infection, locating and neutralizing them before they are able to multiply vigorously in the host. By enhancing protein stability and mucosal retention, these formulations may provide a durable antiviral barrier that complements both vaccination and systemic antiviral therapies.

Potential Implications for Influenza Management

If successful in clinical development, this AI-powered nasal antiviral could represent an important addition to the influenza prevention toolkit. The medication acting at the nasal lining may reduce the risk of infection or, if a virus is inhaled, lessen its symptoms. The strategy the researchers are using also aligns with the latest scientific knowledge of mucosal immunity, which is the mainstay of the body’s defense against pathogens entering the respiratory tract.

Pharmacists, as accessible health care providers, could play a critical role in disseminating information about these innovations, advising on appropriate use, and supporting patient education on broader preventive strategies.

Conclusion

Annually, the flu remains a problem for doctors and public health systems, but new approaches, such as AI-engineered nasal antiviral platforms, offer hopeful perspectives for better protection and timely help. By working with sophisticated computational design to empower the body's natural immune system and enhance mucosal defense, the researchers are going far beyond the limits of preventive respiratory care. While these innovations progress through their various research stages, pharmacists will be essential to understand and implement them in medical practice, ensuring that patients benefit from the latest advances in antiviral protection.

REFERENCES

1. AI-engineered “nasal spray antiviral platform” developed to block flu and COVID-19. EurekAlert!. Published December 16, 2025. Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1110128

2. Oshitani H, Kamigaki T, Suzuki A. Major issues and challenges of influenza pandemic preparedness in developing countries. Emerg Infect Dis. 2008;14(6):875-880. doi:10.3201/eid1406.070839

3. AI-engineered “Nasal Spray Antiviral Platform” Developed to Block Flu and COVID-19. KAIST News. Published December 15, 2025. Accessed December 18, 2025. https://news.kaist.ac.kr/newsen/html/news/?mode=V&mng_no=55990