As the world focuses it's attention on COVID-19, a small group within the e-commerce giant Amazon has been working to cure the common cold.

According to a report from CNBC, which cited three sources familiar with the matter, a secret initiative called 'Project Gesundheit' within Amazon's cloud computing division has been testing new vaccines.

The project formed as a result of Amazon's research and development group called Grand Challenge which funds more than 100 initiatives aiming to tackle 'big problems' according to CNBC.

The group hasn't been acknowledged by Amazon publicly and is being helmed by former Alphabet Employee Babak Parviz who lead research and development for Google's parent company.

CNBC reports that Grand Challenge is focused on both healthcare and the medical sector at large.

Even with the financial resources and expertise of Amazon, finding a cure for the common cold - which is typically caused by various forms of rhinovirus - will be a difficult task.