enzyme science
Research has shown that in some cold-adapted marine organisms such as cod there is an enzyme with good protective properties.
trypsin
Enzymes are proteins that exist in all life forms and are for example essential for breaking down food. Enzymes that break down proteins are called proteases. Trypsin is a protease found in the digestive system of vertebrates.
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) trypsin is a special cold-adapted protease. The beneficial properties of cod trypsin on skin were discovered in connection with North Atlantic fishermen noticing improved skin texture on their hands after handling and processing Atlantic cod, despite the cold harsh conditions.
Trypsins from cod have unique properties as they participate in digestion of diverse food found in the cod´s natural habitat and due to the low environmental temperature of the cod. Based on these unique properties, cod trypsins demonstrate much higher activity than comparable mammalian trypsins at human body temperature.
Cod trypsin is isolated and purified from by-products of the commercial fishing industry. This makes it an environmentally sustainable source of trypsin.
application
in human health
Development associated with the isolation, purification and stabilization of cod trypsin led to the Penzyme® technology, which can be used in products with various applications in human health.
Clinical studies have shown that ColdZyme®, which includes the Penzyme® technology, forms a physical protective barrier with the ability to effectively reduce viral load in individuals with rhinovirus caused common cold.1,2
In addition, in vitro research has shown that ColdZyme® disables a range of respiratory viruses that typically cause common cold and flu, including rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, influenza virus and coronavirus.2-6
Enzymatica holds a patent covering broad use of cod trypsin’s in cosmetics, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals.
Given the above, research on further applications, where the Penzyme® technology can be used in products for consumer healthcare/personal care continues.
future
research plans
Enzymatica has a significant research program in place and underway to discover the full potential of cod trypsin.
References
- Clarsund, M., Fornbacke, M., Uller, L., Johnston, S. L. & Emanuelsson, C. A. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Clinical Study on ColdZyme® Mouth Spray against Rhinovirus-Induced Common Cold. Open Journal of Respiratory Diseases 07, 125-135 (2017). https://doi.org/10.4236/ojrd.2017.74013
- Davison, G. et al. ColdZyme® reduces viral load and upper respiratory tract infection duration and protects airway epithelia from infection with human rhinoviruses. J Physiol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1113/jp288136
- Stefansson, B., Gudmundsdottir, Á. & Clarsund, M. A medical device forming a protective barrier that deactivates four major common cold viruses. Virology: Research & Reviews 1 (5), 1-3 (2017). https://doi.org/10.15761/VRR.1000130
- Gudmundsdottir, Á., Scheving, R., Lindberg, F. & Stefansson, B. Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-229E in vitro by ColdZyme® a medical device mouth spray against the common cold. Journal of medical virology 93, 1792-1795 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.26554
- Posch, W. et al. ColdZyme Maintains Integrity in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Airway Epithelia. mBio 12 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00904-21
- Zaderer, V. et al. ColdZyme® protects airway epithelia from infection with BA.4/5. Respir Res 23, 300 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-022-02223-2