ColdZyme blocks omicron virus – according to new research
23 June 2022
Regulatory press release
ColdZyme blocks omicron virus – according to new research
New data from an ongoing in-vitro study shows that Enzymatica’s mouth spray ColdZyme blocks the widespread omicron virus from binding to human cells. This indicates ColdZyme could play an important role against many different coronaviruses, including several SARS-CoV-2 variants. Clinical trials will now be accelerated to further investigate the effect in humans.
A research group at the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria, is currently conducting a multi-level study on the barrier technology used in ColdZyme, Enzymatica’s mouth spray against upper respiratory tract viruses causing common cold and flu-like symptoms. Results from the first phase of the study now show that ColdZyme blocks the SARS-CoV-2 omicron virus variant from binding to human cells.
“Normally, we would await the final study before communicating any results. But being a publicly traded company, we believe these results are so conclusive and important that we have an obligation to share them with the market. We will now accelerate our clinical studies to further explore these findings”, said Claus Egstrand, CEO of Enzymatica.
The researchers tested ColdZyme mouth spray using a 3D model of human tissue that mimics the surface of the human airway. ColdZyme was sprayed onto the tissue model before application of omicron SARS-CoV-2 virus. The data show that pre-treatment with ColdZyme blocks the omicron virus.
“There is more work to be done before the effect in humans can be established, but we believe these in-vitro results to be of significant interest. Blocking the omicron variant is consistent with our previous findings where ColdZyme blocked a different strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus”, said Dr. Doris Wilflingseder, professor of infection biology at the Medical University of Innsbruck and head of the research group.
The efficacy of ColdZyme against SARS-CoV-2 variants has also been demonstrated in previous in-vitro studies: An in-vitro study conducted by the same research group at the University of Innsbruck, using the same tissue model, showed that ColdZyme hinders binding and infection by another SARS-CoV-2 variant (not omicron). Furthermore, a study conducted by Enzymatica using an in-vitro virucidal efficacy suspension test showed that ColdZyme disabled a SARS-CoV-2 variant by more than 98%. ColdZyme is a CE-marked medical device that treats and alleviates common colds. The product is sold in Sweden, UK, and Iceland under the ColdZyme brand and in around 30 markets under other brands.
The information in this press release is information that Enzymatica is obliged to make public pursuant to the
EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 10:00 CET on 23 June 2022.
For more information, please contact:
Claus Egstrand, CEO, Enzymatica AB
Tel: +44 7780 22 8385 | Email: claus.egstrand@enzymatica.com
Stefan Olsson, Communication Manager, Enzymatica AB
Tel: +46 708 55 11 85 | Email: stefan.olsson@enzymatica.com