hrsACE2, a genetically modified protein already being tested to prevent lung disease, reduces the viral growth of SARS-CoV-2 by a factor of 1,000 to 5,000 in human cell cultures. Researchers believe the enzyme copy lures the virus to attach itself to the copy, rather than human lung cells. The findings suggest hrsACE2 could significantly block the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infections and prevent COVID-19 from becoming severe.
