Fighting viruses with wild mushrooms – an invention with global commercial potential
“Due to their complex structures, fungal compounds are difficult to produce synthetically. Protecting biodiversity is important to preserve these organisms and the compounds they produce, also in the future,” says Riikka Linnakoski, senior scientist at Luke.
During the Natural Antivirals project, aimed at establishing business activities, the impact of fungal compounds will also be tested on other microbes, including bacteria, moulds and yeasts. The project is funded by Business Finland.
The idea of the forest treasures came up during a visit to South Africa
“Coincidence sometimes plays its role in science, also in this case. The idea of finding help from wild mushrooms for preventing virus infections originated nine years ago during a research visit to South Africa where I met Varpu Marjomäki, professor of cellular and molecular biology at the University of Jyväskylä. We decided to join our forces and use our expertise in different research fields to start finding antivirals in the world of fungi,” Linnakoski says.
The research group has analysed a broad range of fungal populations identified both abroad and in Finnish forests, as well as in Luke’s microbial collections. Fungi of a domestic origin have been found to be the most effective. In other words, antiviral fungi no longer need to be picked in forests, as these patent-protected populations maintained in a laboratory are the solution.
Global commercial potential
It is estimated that the approximately 120,000 currently known fungal species only represent 3–8 per cent of fungi in the world.
“Fungi still have massive unused potential for finding new compounds for various applications. Demand for safely and sustainably produced antiviral solutions is only increasing in global markets. In addition, fungal infections are growing globally, and we also need to find solutions to fight these pathogens,” Linnakoski says.
The invention also has various potential external applications, including cosmetics, hand sanitisers and cleaning agents.
“Products designed for hands and skin to reduce the viral load are particularly attractive, as antiviral cosmetics are currently unavailable in the markets,” Linnakoski says.
Several products that are already available in the markets are largely synthetic, such as alcohol-based chemicals, that weaken the skin’s protective layer and increase chemical pollution in the environment. Furthermore, alcohol-based products are not equally effective against all viruses compared with natural antivirals.
The Natural Antivirals project is part of Business Finland’s Bio and Circular Finland programme. During its Research to Business funding period, the project will focus on commercialising the invention and identifying commercialisation paths. The project will also identify technological and commercial partners and build a business model. During the two-year project, the aim is to reach the point of commercialisation where the project can be transferred to a newly established or existing company. The joint project of Luke and the University of Jyväskylä will continue until the end of 2022.
