Llama antibodies show ‘significant potential’ as coronavirus treatment
- Nanobodies from the animals used in the form of a nasal spray could effectively target the virus that causes Covid-19
- This would provide a cheaper and easier alternative to human antibodies taken from recovered coronavirus patients
Tiny antibodies produced by llamas could provide a new frontline treatment against coronavirus in the form of a nasal spray, research suggests.
Scientists at the Rosalind Franklin Institute have found that the nanobodies – a smaller, simple form of antibody generated by llamas and camels – can effectively target the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19.
Short chains of the molecules, which can be produced in large quantities in the laboratory, significantly reduced signs of Covid-19 when given to infected animal models, according to the study. The nanobodies bind tightly to the virus, neutralising it in the laboratory, and could provide a cheaper and easier alternative to human antibodies taken from recovered Covid-19 patients.
Human antibodies have been used for serious cases during the pandemic, but usually need to be administered by infusion through a needle in hospital.
“Although this research is still at an early stage, it opens up significant possibilities for the use of effective nanobody treatments for Covid-19,” Professor Miles Carroll, deputy director of the National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), said.