Furry Llamas Are Big Pharma’s Secret Weapon to Find New Drugs

Jan. 23, 2026, 5:00 AM UTC

One llama is sprawled on the grass with its neck craned, basking in a patch of sunshine. Another stands on a dirt hill, ears flattened defiantly. A third rushes to greet visitors with a friendly nuzzle.

This isn’t a petting zoo. The furry beasts are in Belgium for work.

Scientists have discovered the potential of the animals’ antibodies to thwart multiple diseases, and now drug developers are collectively plowing billions of dollars into a field that may yield a fresh generation of life-changing medicines. The targets include some hard-to-treat conditions like cancer, nerve pain and a chronic skin ailment.

The ...

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