Strange but true: How llamas could help us defeat COVID-19
The quest for an effective COVID-19 treatment has led some researchers to llamas, as a new study found promising results in the animal’s antibodies.
Research published in the journal Cell found that antibodies in llamas’ blood could offer a defence against the coronavirus. Llamas have small antibodies that can sneak into spaces on viral proteins that are too tiny for human antibodies, helping humans to fend off the virus. It is hoped that the llama antibodies could help protect humans who have not been infected.
The findings originated in a Belgium-based llama named Winter. The antibodies of the four-year-old animal had been proven able to fight SARS and MERS, and researchers found that they were effective against the virus behind COVID-19 in cell cultures.
In an interview with Vermont Public Radio, the study’s co-author Daniel Wrapp said an approved therapeutic could be available on the market in a year’s time.
“We are actively performing pre-clinical trials, testing for protection in hamsters,” Wrapp said.
“If that looks good, we’ll move into non-human primates. And if that looks good, we’ll begin phase-one clinical testing in humans.”
Llama antibodies have also been investigated for their potency against HIV and other viruses.