Enzymatica and University of Kent launch study to explore prevention of upper respiratory virus infections in elite athletes
The University of Kent (UK) is working with Enzymatica on a new double-blind, placebo-controlled study to explore the preventative effects of ColdZyme on upper respiratory infections in elite athletes. A previous study showed treatment with ColdZyme can reduce the number of lost training days.
Enzymatica has initiated a new study into the effect of ColdZyme on the upper respiratory resilience of competitive endurance athletes – a group to which viral protection is a key priority. The study is being undertaken by the University of Kent, UK, and builds on a previous 2020 study by the same research team, showing that ColdZyme reduces the duration and symptoms of common cold in endurance athletes (e.g. triathlon, marathon, cycling).
“ColdZyme’s ability to reduce the number of lost training days could play an important role for many endurance athletes. The previous study showed athletes who used ColdZyme had milder common cold symptoms and half as many lost training days as athletes in the control group. Our new study will further explore ColdZyme’s ability to allow endurance athletes a speedier recovery from common colds and other upper respiratory virus infections”, said Professor Glen Davison, Head of School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at University of Kent.
The first participants are enrolled this week, with the expectation that the full study will be presented next fall, before the cold season. The methodology is a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, utilizing parallel groups design, in which participants will complete a daily training log and illness log according to the Jackson scale. Oropharyngeal swabs will be collected from both groups to identify virus strains causing the infections, as well as measuring viral load.
“We know that many groups that truly want to avoid common colds and other upper respiratory infections are great supporters of ColdZyme, be it teachers, kindergarten staff or endurance athletes. Enzymatica will launch a number of clinical trials to further investigate ColdZyme’s effect on viruses. So far, ColdZyme has been proven in vitro to block 11 different upper respiratory viruses, and we now aim to repeat these findings in vivo in clinical trials”, said Claus Egstrand, CEO of Enzymatica.
More information about the study: ISRCTN - ISRCTN18133939: Does ColdZyme mouth spray protect athletes against upper respiratory tract infection?
For more information, please contact:
Claus Egstrand, CEO, Enzymatica AB
Phone: +44 7780 22 8385 | Email: claus.egstrand@enzymatica.com
Stefan Olsson, Communication Manager, Enzymatica AB
Phone: +46 708 55 11 85 | Email: stefan.olsson@enzymatica.com
Enzymatica AB develops and sells health products mainly to treat diseases and symptoms in the upper respiratory tract. The products are based on a barrier technology that includes marine enzymes with unique properties. The company’s first product is the medical device product ColdZyme®, a mouth spray for colds. The product has been launched in about 30 markets on four continents. The strategy is to continue to grow by developing more health products, strengthening the company’s position in existing markets and expanding into new geographic markets through established partners. The company is headquartered in Lund and is listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. For more information, please visit www.enzymatica.com.