Enzymatica AB (publ) announced that the first results from an ongoing independent clinical study at the University of Kent, UK, show that ColdZyme® significantly reduces the viral load of rhinovirus, the predominant cause of the common cold. Additionally, participants who used ColdZyme experienced significantly less severe sore throat symptoms than those who used placebo. The researchers are assessing the efficacy of ColdZyme mouth spray on upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) parameters, including viral load, in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial, under free-living conditions in endurance athletes (e.g. runners, cyclists, triathletes).

The final study is expected to be published in 2024. The interim results have been submitted for presentation at a scientific conference, and are currently under review, hopefully for presentation early in 2024. The trial is investigator initiated, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized.

So far, it comprises 51 endurance athletes divided into two groups, one which received ColdZyme and the other placebo. Participants kept a training log and filled out a daily questionnaire on upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. When participants experienced symptoms, they were instructed to take self-swabs from their throat and start using the mouth spray according to instructions. The trial builds on a previous study in 2020 by the same research team, showing that ColdZyme reduces the duration and symptoms of common cold in endurance athletes.

ColdZyme is a prescription free mouth spray that is sold in more than 30 markets on four continents. It is also marketed under brand names such as ViruProtect®, Physiomer®, Bisolviral® and ADerogyl®.