Episode 38: Tollovid - Gerald Commissiong and Dr. Dorit Arad

Tollovid is a dietary supplement that works to inhibit 3CL protease by binding to its active site. Proteases are enzymes that break down proteins, and 3CL protease is the primary protease found in coronaviruses, including SARS-Cov-2. In lay terms - Tollovid helps reduce viral replication in much the same way as Paxlovid. If your theory is that Long Covid is the result of viral persistence, then taking this supplement should, theoretically, help you feel better. But your immune system still has to clear the virus once and for all.

In a bid to substantiate the facts behind Tollovid’s potential benefits, we spoke to Todos Medical’s CEO, Gerald Commissiong. He talked to us in detail about the way in which the drug works and how they brought Tollovid to market. We also spoke to the drug developer, Dr. Dorit Arad, of NLC Pharma. Arad is a pioneer in the field of 3CL protease biology, whose work on the rhinovirus, HIV and SARS led to her developing Tollovid in Israel. They responded to our challenge on the safety profile of Tollovid given the lack of regulation in the supplement market. They also explained why buying the base material - gromwell root - on the internet would be unlikely to yield similar results.

Tollovid is a supplement and not a drug, something which both Commissiong and Arad were keen to impress. Anecdotally people have reported feeling better when taking Tollovid but some have relapsed after stopping. It is important to remember that supplements have less rigorous requirements on testing, and supplements can have interactions with other drugs, so please always seek medical advice before making adjustments to your Long Covid regimen.