SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-B.1.1.529 leads to widespread escape from neutralizing antibody responses

🤖 Plain-English Summary

November 2021, the sequence of a new SARS-CoV-2 viral isolate Omicron-B.1.1.529 was announced, containing far more mutations in Spike (S) than previously reported variants. Omicron S has structural changes from earlier viruses and uses mutations that confer tight binding to ACE2 to unleash evolution driven by immune escape.

🔑 Key Findings

• Neutralization titers of Omicron by sera from vaccinees and convalescent subjects infected with early pandemic Alpha, Beta, Gamma, or Delta are substantially reduced, or the sera failed to neutralize.
• Titers against Omicron are boosted by third vaccine doses and are high in both vaccinated individuals and those infected by Delta.
• Mutations in Omicron knock out or substantially reduce neutralization by most of the large panel of potent monoclonal antibodies and antibodies under commercial development.

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