Research into how antibodies in llamas blood react to SARS and MERS viruses could help scientists create a cure for COVID-19.
In 2016 a group of scientists from the University of Texas in Austin researched antibodies llamas create to detect foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses.
A new report released on Tuesday shows the previous research allowed them to create a new antibody which binds tightly to a key protein of coronavirus and stops it from spreading throughout the body.
The scientists say it "shows promise" for treating the new coronavirus.
"This is one of the first antibodies known to neutralize SARS-CoV-2," said co-senior author Jason McLellan in a press release.
"Vaccines have to be given a month or two before infection to provide protection... (But) with antibody therapies, you're directly giving somebody the protective antibodies and so, immediately after treatment, they should be protected.
"The antibodies could also be used to treat somebody who is already sick to lessen the severity of the disease."
SARS-CoV-2 is the infectious coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
The initial study began in 2016 when researchers attempted to find solutions for SARS and MERS and prevent more epidemics and pandemics.
The researchers injected a llama named Winter with proteins from the viruses over the course of six weeks, which was a process similar to humans getting injections for immunisation.
Daniel Wrapp, a graduate student in McLellan's lab and co-first author of the paper says he was excited when one blood sample showed promise in stopping the virus spread.
"That was exciting to me because I'd been working on this for years," Wrapp said.
"But there wasn't a big need for a coronavirus treatment then. This was just basic research. Now, this can potentially have some translational implications, too."
Now they are hoping their new antibody can be turned into a liquid to be used in an inhaler for COVID-19 patients.
"That makes them potentially really interesting as a drug for a respiratory pathogen because you're delivering it right to the site of infection," Wrapp says.
The researchers are now preparing to conduct further studies on animals to turn it into a treatment for COVID-19 patients soon after they become infected.
