new York The virus variant B.1.1.529 (“Omikron”), which was first discovered in South Africa, worries politicians. The large number of mutations in the spike protein suggests that the variant is more contagious than previous virus variants, according to RKI boss Lothar Wieler.
On the basis of the data available, however, it is not yet possible to say whether the variant is actually easier to transfer. “We suspect so, and there are some early data,” James Naismith, professor of structural biology at Oxford University, told the BBC on Friday.
The scientist Susan Hopkins of Imperial College London described the new variant as “the most worrying we have ever seen”. The transmission rate (R value) determined so far in South Africa is two.
The decisive question is how well previous vaccines and therapies protect against infection or a severe course. In view of the inadequate data situation, it is not yet possible to say exactly. However, experts reckon that the vaccines may be less effective.
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“However, it is to be feared that because of the many mutations the surface structures on the virus could look completely different, so that the immunity previously generated by vaccination is no longer sufficient to protect against this new variant,” said epidemiologist Ulrichs the Handelsblatt. “In that case we would have to adapt the vaccines and start a new vaccination campaign from scratch.”
According to a British expert, the currently available corona vaccines are “almost certainly” less effective against the new variant B.1.1.529 discovered in southern Africa. That is what James Naismith, professor of structural biology at Oxford University, said on the BBC 4 Today radio show on Friday.
From the point of view of the South African virologist Shabir Madhi, conventional vaccines only protect against the new corona variant B.1.1.529 to a limited extent. He told the TV broadcaster eNCA in Johannesburg on Friday: “We assume that there is still some protection.” However, it is likely that previous vaccines are likely to be less effective.
The federal government is also worried about this. In an internal status report available to the German press agency, it is said that it is unclear whether the effect of vaccines is reduced. The “mutation profile suggests, however, that a reduced vaccine effect must at least be seriously considered,” the report said.
Biontech checks whether an adaptation of the vaccine is necessary
According to its own information, the Mainz-based company Biontech immediately initiated investigations into variant B.1.1.529. One can understand the concerns of experts, it says on the part of the company. The variant differs significantly from the variants observed so far, since it has additional mutations in the spike protein.
According to its own information, Biontech is investigating the variant both in terms of computer technology and in the laboratory. This is done by testing the blood of vaccinated people and checking how well their antibodies neutralize the new spike protein. In two weeks at the latest, further data from the laboratory tests are expected, said a spokeswoman for the Mainz-based company.
These data should provide information on whether B.1.1.529 could be a so-called escape variant, which would require an adaptation of the Biontech vaccine if this variant were to spread internationally.
In this context, Biontech confirms that preparations were made months ago with US partner Pfizer to adapt the mRNA vaccine within six weeks in the case of an escape variant and to deliver the first batches within 100 days.
To this end, the companies have started clinical studies with variant-specific vaccines (alpha and delta) in order to collect data on safety and tolerability which, in the event of an adaptation, can be presented to the authorities as sample data.
Moderna is testing new refresher candidates
Vaccine manufacturer Moderna also announced further steps in view of the new variant on Friday evening. The pharmaceutical company wants to test three existing booster candidates against the new variant and develop another variant-specific vaccine.
“We emphasized from the start that it is imperative that we act proactively in combating the pandemic as the virus evolves. The mutations in the Omicron variant are worrying and for a few days we have been working as quickly as possible on implementing our strategy to combat this variant, ”says Moderna boss Stéphane Bancel, according to a press release published on Friday.
New antiviral drugs could provide good prognoses
The question of how well drugs work against the variant is also difficult to answer so far. The type of reported changes in the virus tends to suggest that the antibody-based drugs could also lose their effectiveness against the new variant. Because these active ingredients target the spike protein of the virus, similar to the vaccines.
The templates for these drugs were usually antibodies isolated from the blood of recovered Covid patients. A major change in the spike protein could thus also reduce the binding capacity of the antibody active ingredients.
On the other hand, the prognosis for the new antiviral drugs, some of which are about to be approved, is likely to be somewhat more favorable. Because they do not start with the spike protein, but rather with the virus’s mechanism of reproduction. Mere modifications of the spike protein should therefore not impair their effectiveness.
Molnupiravir, a drug developed by Merck & Co, ensures that errors are built in when the virus RNA is replicated, making the virus inoperable. In clinical studies, the agent showed a reduction in severe courses and hospitalizations by around 50 percent.
Pfizer’s active ingredient paxlovid, a so-called protease inhibitor, blocks certain enzymes that viruses need to replicate in the cells. In studies, it even reduced the risk of serious illnesses by around 90 percent. Pfizer has emphasized that the compound has shown potent antiviral activity against all of the variants of concern in the laboratory. It thus offers potential as a therapy for various types of coronavirus infections.
The statements made so far by Merck & Co on molnupiravir are similar. According to the US group, the agent has shown consistent effectiveness against the variants Gamma, Delta and Mu. This in turn strengthens the hope that with molnupiravir a drug could be available that is also effective against future, as yet unknown mutations of the virus.
Emergency approvals have already been applied for in the USA for both substances. A panel of experts from the US FDA is to discuss molnupiravir next Tuesday.
More: Just at the start of the main tourist season, variant B.1.1.529 leads to new flight bans and entry bans. That is likely to exacerbate the social problems in southern Africa.