Llama Blood Could Protect Humans From COVID, San Diego Researchers Say

New lab experiments done by researchers in San Diego and Pittsburgh suggest that llama blood could protect humans from COVID-19.

According to KGTV, tiny immune particles called nanobodies derived from the blood of a llama named Wally show strong protection against all COVID-19 variants of concern and 18 other sabrecoronaviruses.

Researchers believe that these nanobodies could be used as a fast-acting inhalable spray or treatment.

While exciting, the paper has not yet been peer-reviewed by a scientific journal.

“Because of its broadly neutralizing activity, it will be most likely useful and effective against future variants and future outbreaks by SARS-like viruses,” lead author Dr. Yi Shi of the University of Pittsburgh told KGTV.

In their latest paper, they discovered that Wally's antibodies started to morph after being repeatedly vaccinated. He began to produce antibodies capable of recognizing a wide array of coronaviruses.

By the eighth vaccination, Wally had achieved "super immunity" against anything from SARS-CoV-1 to bat viruses, reports KGTV.

Researchers are hoping to get their drug into pre-clinical trials soon, meaning it'll take at least six months to a year to get to the market.

According to KGTV, labs have been trying to create the first nanobody for COVID since the pandemic started.