Study discovers new target on SARS-CoV-2 spike for protective antibodies The study, which appeared on the pre-print server bioRxiv*, demonstrates that CC40.8 bnAb from a COVID-19 donor targets the conserved S2 stem-helix region of the coronavirus spike fusion machinery. Study background Coronaviruses take their name from the crown-like spike proteins that line their surfaces. While coronaviruses only cause common cold-like symptoms, some may cause severe or critical illness. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, is a novel virus that belongs to the coronaviridae family, of which previously six members have crossed into humans and established widespread infections.