Summary:
- Chinese researchers identified a bat coronavirus (HKU5-CoV-2) that infects human cells via the ACE2 receptor, mirroring SARS-CoV-2’s infection pathway.
- The virus contains a furin cleavage site but shows weaker binding affinity to human cells compared to COVID-19, limiting its current pandemic potential.
- Vaccine stocks like Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax rose following the study’s release, reflecting market sensitivity to pandemic-related research.
- Experts, including Dr. Michael Osterholm, caution against overreacting, citing existing immunity to SARS-like viruses and the virus’s suboptimal adaptation to humans.
Chinese researchers have identified a bat coronavirus capable of infecting human cells through the same biological pathway as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The discovery, published in Cell on February 21, 2025, highlights potential vulnerabilities but underscores the virus’s current limitations in human transmission.
The virus, named HKU5-CoV-2, binds to the ACE2 receptor on human cell surfaces and features a furin cleavage site—critical traits shared with SARS-CoV-2. Laboratory experiments revealed the pathogen can infect human airway and intestinal cells with high ACE2 levels, though it does so less efficiently than COVID-19. “The risk of emergence in human populations should not be exaggerated,” the study cautioned, noting the virus’s weaker binding affinity and other suboptimal adaptations.
Financial markets reacted swiftly to the findings, with shares of vaccine makers Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax rising 1.5%, 5.3%, and 1%, respectively, despite broader market declines. Researchers also identified experimental monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs effective against HKU5-CoV-2, offering early pathways for countermeasures.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota tempered concerns, stating existing population immunity to SARS-like viruses reduces pandemic risks compared to 2019. “The reaction to this study is overblown,” he said, emphasizing the virus’s lower threat profile.
The study builds on ongoing efforts to monitor zoonotic threats, particularly in bats, which harbor thousands of coronaviruses. While HKU5-CoV-2’s discovery underscores the need for vigilance, researchers stress its current limitations and the availability of targeted therapies to mitigate future spillover risks.
Reuters Health correspondents Julie Steenhuysen and Nancy Lapid reported this story, with contributions from global health and science editors.
