Scientists isolate anti-COVID-19 nanobodies produced by a llama
National Institutes of Health researchers have isolated a set of promising, tiny antibodies, or nanobodies, against SARS-CoV-2 that were produced by a llama named Cormac. Preliminary results published in
Scientific Reports suggest that at least one of these nanobodies, called NIH-CoVnb-112, could prevent infections and detect virus particles by grabbing hold of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. In addition, the nanobody appeared to work equally well in either liquid or aerosol form, suggesting it could remain effective after inhalation. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19.
The study was led by a pair of neuroscientists, Thomas J. T.J. Esparza, B.S., and David L. Brody, M.D., Ph.D., who work in a brain imaging lab at the NIH s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).