Enzymatica sees shares spike on positive Covid-19 research data

Shares in Enzymatica surged more than 70% on Monday after the Swedish life sciences firm claimed its ColdZyme mouth spray could potentially deactivate Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.

ColdZyme, a barrier solution used against common cold viruses, is primarily composed of glycerol and Atlantic cod trypsin, a digestive enzyme.

In-vitro tests on the spray were carried out in by US firm Microbac Laboratories, and a virucidal efficacy suspension test found that ColdZyme de-activated Sars-CoV-2 by 98.3% in 20 minutes.

“The results indicate that ColdZyme can offer a protective barrier against harmful viruses such as Sars-CoV-2 by local virus deactivation in the oral cavity,” Enzymatica said. No cytotoxicity was detected at any dilution tested either

The firm continued: “Sars-CoV-2 actively replicates in the throat, and shows high viral shedding also at a time of mild symptoms. Therefore, ColdZyme sprayed onto the mouth and throat could lower the risk of infection and decrease the viral load locally. Lowered viral load may decrease viral shedding, and thus minimise the spread of Sars-Cov-2.”

Claus Egstrand, chief operating officer, added: “Even if the current in vitro results cannot be directly translated into clinical efficacy, it is very interesting that ColdZyme is able to effective deactivate Sars-CoV-2 since it constitutes proof of principle that can be taken further into clinical studies.”

By 1100 BST, shares in the Stockholm-listed firm were ahead 75% at SEK 23.60.

Enzymatica, which is based in Lund, Sweden, specialises in using barrier technology to develop healthcare products for the ear, nose and throat. ColdZyme is its first product and has been launched in "about ten markets", the firm said.