Enzymatica has developed ColdZyme, a medical-grade mouth spray used at the first signs of cold and flu-like symptoms. The spray creates a barrier in the throat that traps viruses and inhibits their spread. ColdZyme is certified according to the EU MDR regulation.
Publication in a journal
On February 28, study results from two independent studies with ColdZyme were published in The Journal of Physiology, a peer-reviewed and international journal in the field of physiology.
The publication is based on research at University of Kent and Vienna, where the effect of ColdZyme has been investigated through two complementary methods: a clinical study on athletes and an in vitro model of the human upper respiratory tract.
The clinical study involved 164 active athletes, who were randomly assigned to receive either ColdZyme or placebo when experiencing symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection. The athletes also submitted throat swabs so that researchers could analyze the presence of viruses associated with symptoms.
Fewer sick days and lower symptom levels
The results of the study, based on 154 participants, are now public and show significant benefits when using ColdZyme for colds. The results showed that study participants who used ColdZyme had statistically significantly lower symptom assessment scores, fewer sick days, and fewer lost training days due to colds compared to the placebo group.
– The results are very promising, and the shortened illness period could be of great benefit to both athletes and the general public, says Glen Davison, professor of sports and exercise science at School of Natural Sciences vid University of Kent in Great Britain.
Reduced viral load
Additionally, the results showed that viral load was 94% lower in the ColdZyme group compared to placebo in the clinical study. The in vitro study also showed a significant reduction in viral load in respiratory tissue pretreated with ColdZyme before exposure to virus.
The research team in Vienna used human epithelial cells in models representing different parts of the upper respiratory tract, such as the nose and throat. The models were treated with either ColdZyme or saline and infected with rhinovirus, the most common cause of the common cold. The results showed that ColdZyme significantly reduced the amount of virus. The tissue culture treated with ColdZyme had intact cell nuclei, undamaged cilia and only a few virus particles compared to infected cultures treated with saline alone.
“These results are remarkable because ColdZyme not only significantly reduced viral load for SARS-CoV-2 variants or influenza A and B, as previously shown, but also for rhinovirus in our upper respiratory tract model,” says Doris Wilflingseder, professor of infectious diseases at Ignaz Semmelweis Institute and the Veterinary University Vienna.
CEO comments on the results
Overall, the results show that ColdZyme acts on the underlying cause of upper respiratory infections by inhibiting the ability of viruses to infect cells and limiting their spread.
BioStock contacted Enzymatica's CEO Claus Egstrand to learn more about the study results and the publication in The Journal of Physiology.
ColdZyme has now received scientific backing through publication in The Journal of Physiology. How significant is this for Enzymatica and for ColdZyme as a product?
– This is very important, as the peer-reviewed and published study results again confirm the effectiveness of ColdZyme. In fact, the independent, researcher-initiated study from the University of Kent is what is known as a “Gold Standard” study in the self-care industry:
- Statistically significant number of participants to ensure results (the UoK study has 154 participants)
- Randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled
What were the most surprising or notable results from the studies?
– The most surprising and most remarkable thing is that ColdZyme reduces local spread in the upper respiratory tract, which limits the spread of the infection to neighboring cells and reduces the total amount of virus by 94% compared to the untreated state – something also called “breaking the viral cycle”.
– This shows that ColdZyme is a unique product that both shortens the duration of the cold and relieves symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, cough and general malaise.
What kind of response have you received from your partners regarding the publication of results?
– So far, the response from both existing and potential partners has been:
"Congratulations on the fantastic results. We will get back to you with suggestions for the next steps."
– We must remember that we work with large consumer health companies where many internal departments are involved in the decision-making process.
The study included both a clinical trial on athletes and an in vitro assay. Can you explain why these two methods were chosen and how they complement each other?
– It is important to emphasize that Enzymatica has not chosen these two methods. The published manuscript is the result of a collaboration between two independent researchers, Professor Davison and Professor Wilflingseder.
– The two professors believe that their respective study methods complement each other, as both focus on the effect of ColdZyme on rhinovirus infection. The clinical study shows the effect of ColdZyme by lowering the viral load in real users, while vitroThe study helps explain and support ColdZyme's mechanism of action in a human cell model.
The results show that ColdZyme inhibits the spread of viruses by creating a barrier in the throat. How does this mechanism differ from traditional cold and flu treatments?
– ColdZyme targets the underlying cause of a cold and its associated symptoms, namely preventing viruses from attaching to cells and causing infection. Therefore, ColdZyme shortens the duration of the cold itself while simultaneously relieving the associated symptoms.
– Traditional cold and flu medications are primarily based on pharmaceutical substances – active ingredients – that work to relieve cold symptoms. While there are many different types of cold medications available, most contain common active ingredients such as decongestants, antihistamines, cough suppressants and pain relievers.
- Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, work by constricting the blood vessels in the nasal passages. This reduces swelling and congestion, making it easier to breathe through your nose.
- Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine, block histamine receptors in the body. Histamine is released during an allergic reaction or a cold and causes symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. By blocking histamine, antihistamines can help relieve these symptoms.
- Cough suppressants, such as dextromethorphan or codeine, affect the cough center in the brain and reduce the frequency and intensity of coughing.
