Tiny llama nanobodies lock coronavirus spike to block infection across variants

Researchers identified llama-derived single-domain antibodies (nanobodies) that bind a conserved base region (S2) of the coronavirus spike and act like a clamp, locking the spike in its original shape and preventing the conformational changes needed for cell entry. In animal tests these nanobodies provided strong protection at low doses and showed a high barrier to viral escape, neutralizing a broad range of SARS-related coronaviruses and offering potential for long-lasting antiviral therapies resilient to future variants.