Virological traits of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.87.1 lineage

The highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.87.1 lineage was recently detected in South Africa, but its transmissibility is unknown. Here, we report that BA.2.87.1 efficiently enters human cells but is more sensitive to antibody-mediated neutralization than the currently dominating JN.1 variant. Acquisition of adaptive mutations might thus be needed for high transmissibility. ### Competing Interest Statement S.P. and M.H. performed contract research (testing of vaccinee sera for neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2) for Valneva unrelated to this work. A.D-J. served as advisor for Pfizer, unrelated to this work. G.M.N.B. served as advisor for Moderna, unrelated to this work. S.P. served as advisor for BioNTech, unrelated to this work. All other authors declare no competing interests.