Djokovic is a partner in a company seeking treatment for Covid-19

Novak Djokovic and his wife have an 80% stake in the Danish biotechnology company QuantBioRes, which aims to develop a medical treatment to combat Covid-19. The information was confirmed by the company’s chief executive to Reuters on Wednesday (19).

CEO Ivan Loncarevic said the investment was made by the tennis player in June 2020, but declined to reveal the amount. According to the Danish commercial registry, the athlete would have a 40.8% share, and Jelena, 39.2%.

QuantBioRes has about ten researchers working in Denmark, Australia and Slovenia, according to Loncarevic, who emphasized that they are looking to develop a treatment, not a vaccine.

The company is developing a peptide that would inhibit the coronavirus from infecting the human cell and hopes to launch clinical trials in Britain this summer (mid-year in the northern hemisphere), he added.

A spokesperson for Djokovic did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The world’s number one tennis player, who is not vaccinated against Covid-19, has fueled a global debate over mandatory vaccination against the disease in recent weeks. The case culminated in his deportation from Australia on Sunday (16).

Without the immunization, Djokovic did not meet the requirements to remain in the country and compete in the Australian Open, the Grand Slam tournament, a series with the four most important championships on the circuit. The Serb was also considered a public health threat by the Australian government, for whom his refusal to be vaccinated could spur anti-vaccination movements in the country.

Winner of 20 Slam trophies, he is also threatened with losing the next tournament of that level. France, stage of Roland Garros, has passed a law in recent days that requires a vaccination passport to participate in public events, such as sports competitions.