Researchers at LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong have developed the world’s first “NanoPowder” nasal spray designed to provide emergency aid for ischemic stroke patients before they reach hospital. Developed in collaboration with the Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, the spray bypasses the blood-brain barrier and delivers medication directly to the brain without injections or surgery.

Designed to be portable and easy to use, the nasal spray could help protect brain cells during the critical early stages of a stroke, buying valuable time for further treatment. In preclinical animal studies, using the spray within 30 minutes of stroke onset reduced brain damage by more than 80% while helping preserve neurological and motor functions.

The innovation has already received international recognition at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. Researchers hope future clinical trials will pave the way for the spray to become a widely accessible first-aid tool for stroke patients and potentially other neurological diseases.