Novak Djokovic owns 80% stake in biotech firm developing Covid drug

The Serbian has joined forces with a Danish biotech firm

Novak Djokovic reportedly holds an 80% stake in a biotech company who are attempting to develop a treatment for covid, but one which does not involve vaccination.

As reported by Reuters, the world number one – who was recently deported from Australia after having his visa cancelled twice after initially been granted a medical exemption – has joined forces with Danish biotech firm, QuantBioRes.

The company’s chief executive, Ivan Loncarevic, revealed that Djokovic’s investment was made in June 2020, but refused to disclose the exact fee.

It is thought that QuantBioRes employ 11 researchers who have been working out of Denmark, Australia and Slovenia to find a treatment against covid-19 – aiming to develop a peptide which prevents the virus from infecting the human cell.

While it is unsurprising that Djokovic is keen to find a treatment for covid – considering that he remains to be vaccinated – his decision to do so denied him the opportunity to defend his Australian Open title.

The 34-year-old was deported from the Australia after 12 days of legal battles saw the Federal Court side with immigration minister Alex Hawke’s decision to cancel his visa.

He has also been banned from the country for three years, with home affairs minister Karen Andrews confirming that the three-year ban was as a result of the outcome of the court decision.

Djokovic was aiming to defend his Australian Open title and clinch his 21st Grand Slam – which would have seen him move ahead of rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.