A llama at the University of Reading could hold the key to a new, cheaper frontline treatment against Covid, research suggests.

Scientists at the Rosalind Franklin Institute found that tiny antibodies generated by llamas and camels could target the virus via a nasal spray.

Researchers were able to generate the nanobodies by injecting part of the virus into a llama called Fifi, who is part of the antibody production facility at the university.

“These are among the most effective Sars-CoV-2 neutralising agents we have ever tested at PHE," said professor Miles Carroll, deputy director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England.

“We believe the unique structure and strength of the nanobodies contribute to their significant potential for both the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 and look forward to working collaboratively to progress this work into clinical studies.”

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How does it work?

By injecting Fifi with a Covid spike protein, the other shell responsible for binding the virus to human cells, they triggered her immune system to fight off the virus protein by generating nanobodies against it without making her sick.

A small blood sample was taken from the llama and the researchers were able to purify four nanobodies capable of binding to the virus and neutralising it.

The nanobodies were then combined together into chains of three to increase their ability to bind to the virus. These were then produced in cells in the laboratory.

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The study found that three nanobody chains were able to neutralise both the original variants of the Covid-19 virus and the alpha variant.

A fourth nanobody chain was able to neutralise the beta variant.

When one of the nanobody chains were given to hamsters infected with the virus, the animals showed a marked reduction in disease.

Hamsters that received the nanobody treatment also had a lower viral load in their lungs and airways after seven days than untreated animals.

Why llamas?

Human antibodies have been used for serious cases during the pandemic, but usually need to be administered by infusion through a needle in hospital.

Professor Ray Owens, head of protein production at the Rosalind Franklin Institute and lead author of the research, said: “Nanobodies have a number of advantages over human antibodies.

“They are cheaper to produce and can be delivered directly to the airways through a nebuliser or nasal spray, so can be self-administered at home rather than needing an injection.

“This could have benefits in terms of ease of use by patients but it also gets the treatment directly to the site of infection in the respiratory tract.”

The research team, which included scientists at the University of Liverpool, University of Oxford and Public Health England, now hope to obtain funding to prepare for clinical studies in humans.