Researchers in Portugal develop algae-based products to treat Covid-19

By Sandra Queiroz

Researchers from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC) are developing macroalgae-based products, exploring their bioactive compounds with antiviral properties, which are proving effective for the treatment of Covid-19.

The project “AlgaMar4antivirus” started during the Covid-19 pandemic to find answers to address the urgent need for effective antiviral solutions.

“The AlgaMar4antivirus project is focused on the fight against SARS-CoV-2 and the development of a natural compound that could be used in both prevention and treatment of this virus. We have already identified macroalgae from the Portuguese coast – green, red and brown – which have shown promising results.

“Aquaculture has always been a priority to ensure the sustainability of marine resources and to obtain sufficient biomass for the extraction of bioactive compounds,” explained the leader of the project, Ana Marta Gonçalves.

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The team of researchers from FCTUC works in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy of Coimbra.

Potential for use on other viruses

“These findings represent an important step in the development of natural pharmaceutical solutions that could, in the future, be used to fight other viruses, in addition to SARS-CoV-2,” said Ana, also a researcher with the Centre for Functional Ecology of the Department of Life Sciences from FCTUC.

According to a statement from the FCTUC, the team of researchers “will continue further testing to validate the efficacy and safety of the compounds developed and finalise the pharmaceutical product for commercialisation.”

Scientists aim to expand this research in the future to evaluate the potential of these natural compounds in the treatment of other viruses.

Natural products in drug discovery

Natural products have made a major contribution to pharmacotherapy, although they also presented challenges for drug discovery in the past – such as technical barriers to screening, isolation, characterisation and optimisation.

In recent years, technological and scientific developments have been addressing such challenges and opening new opportunities. The interest in natural products is therefore starting to rise again.

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