Antibodies from a four-year-old llama living in a secret location in Belgium could help scientists find a treatment for COVID-19, according to reports.
The antibodies from the llama called Winter have neutralised coronavirus and other infections in laboratory experiments and there is speculation the llama could be key to beating the novel coronavirus.
Winter was the lucky llama selected by researchers in Belgium to take part in a series of virus studies, involving both the previous viruses SARS and MERS. The scientists found that her antibodies staved off those infections. They are now hopeful the same antibodies could also neutralise the new virus that causes COVID-19.
The results were published on Tuesday in the journal Cell.
Scientists have long turned to llamas for antibody research. In the past decade they have used llamas’ antibodies in H.I.V. and influenza research.
Winter lives on a farm in the Belgian countryside along with around 130 other llamas and alpacas.
