Sign in Subscribe
Coronaviruses

Bees' Enzyme-Based Covid-19 Treatment Takes Flight

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at a Galway-based biotechnology company, Cellnutrition Health, in collaboration with National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway and Trinity College Dublin, are working on a novel treatment for Covid-19 using a bee enzyme called lysozyme. This enzyme, produced by honeybees to protect their colonies, is being combined with marine plasma in an effort to create a solution that could prevent infection and treat those already infected. The team believes that the treatment, named Beemar, has the potential to work as both a natural vaccine and immunotherapy, effective against not only Covid-19, but also other viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cellnutrition Health is testing the efficacy of the bees' enzyme lysozyme, combined with marine plasma, as a potential treatment for Covid-19.
  • The company plans to work with NUI Galway and Trinity College Dublin on trials, with the goal of creating a treatment that can prevent infection and treat those already infected.
  • The bees' enzyme lysozyme is capable of breaking down foreign bodies, making it a potential natural remedy for fighting infections.
  • Marine plasma, which contains 78 trace elements and minerals, is being used in conjunction with the lysozyme to enhance its effectiveness.
  • The treatment, named Beemar, relies on both adaptive and innate immunity to provide protection against the virus and its variants.
  • The company believes that Beemar could be used in five different ways, including eyedrops, nasal spray, oral dose, skin patch, and injected material.
  • The treatment is still in the early stages of development, with several years needed to reach fruition.
  • The use of natural materials presents less of a challenge in trials and submissions to regulators.

Statistics:

  • 78 trace elements and minerals are present in marine plasma.
  • The company is working on a partnership with NUI Galway and Trinity College Dublin to develop the treatment.
  • The treatment is expected to take several years to reach fruition.
  • 21 countries are involved in the Vaccelerate clinical network, a new EU clinical network aimed at accelerating the trials of Covid-19 vaccines.

Sources:

  • Siggins, L. (2022). Enzyme produced by honeybees to protect colonies being tested against Covid-19. The Irish Times.
  • Irish Times. (2022). Expert-in-residence programme for entrepreneurs and academics opens.
  • Cellnutrition Health. (2022). Beemar: A new treatment for Covid-19.

Read more