India, March 9 -- A nasal spray that could potentially prevent childhood ear infections that can lead to hearing loss and reduce antibiotic use is a step closer to clinical trials thanks to a $500,000 CUREator grant.

Spritz-OM guards the ear from infection using 'friendly bacteria' and aims to reduce the incidence of middle ear infection, or otitis media, in young children.

Developed by researchers at The University of Western Australia and the Telethon Kids Institute, the nasal spray has been shown to work in the laboratory, with work now underway to start clinical trials.

Adjunct Associate Professor Lea-Ann Kirkham from the UWA Medical School and Co-Head of the Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group at Telethon Kids' Wesfarme...