Scientists at Weill Cornell School of Medicine have discovered an antibody that blocks the infection caused by all dominant variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the most recent, omycron. Research published Journal of Clinical Research.
The biologists tested antibodies from patients’ blood samples against 12 virus strains that emerged during the pandemic. One of these proteins, designated S728-1157, proved to be very effective at neutralizing not only ancient variants, but also seven omicron subtypes.
Experiments have shown that treatment with this antibody reduces the number of viral particles in the nose and lungs of animals.
The results imply that S728-1157 could be a much-needed alternative to conventional monoclonal antibodies. The advent of variants, including “Omicron,” has made many of these treatments ineffective.
Scientists noted that the pandemic is over, but the virus has not disappeared. If left unchecked, it can cause annual epidemics.