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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.12.28.474369

Increased resistance of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant to Neutralization by Vaccine-Elicited and Therapeutic Antibodies

Tada, T.·Zhou, H.·Dcosta, B. M.·Samanovic, M. I.·Chivukula, V.·Herati, R.·Hubbard, S. R.·Mulligan, M. J.·Landau, N. R.
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Abstract

Currently authorized vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 have been highly successful in preventing infection and lessening disease severity. The vaccines maintain effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern but the heavily mutated, highly transmissible Omicron variant poses an obstacle both to vaccine protection and monoclonal antibody therapies. Analysis of the neutralization of Omicron spike protein-pseudotyped lentiviruses showed a 26-fold relative resistance (compared to D614G) to neutralization by convalescent sera and 26-34-fold resistance to Pfizer BNT162b2 and Moderna vaccine-elicited antibodies following two immunizations. A booster immunization increased neutralizing titers against Omicron by 6-8-fold. Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection followed by vaccination resulted in the highest neutralizing titers against Omicron. Regeneron REGN10933 and REGN10987, and Lilly LY-CoV555 and LY-CoV016 monoclonal antibodies were ineffective against Omicron, while Sotrovimab was partially effective. The results highlight the benefit of a booster immunization in providing protection against Omicron but demonstrate the challenge to monoclonal antibody therapies.

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Tada, T., Zhou, H., Dcosta, B. M., Samanovic, M. I., Chivukula, V., Herati, R., Hubbard, S. R., Mulligan, M. J., Landau, N. R.. 2021-12-30. Increased resistance of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant to Neutralization by Vaccine-Elicited and Therapeutic Antibodies. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.12.28.474369

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