A newly discovered bat coronavirus utilizes the same cell-surface protein to infiltrate human cells as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, indicating a potential future threat to humans, according to Chinese researchers.

Published in the journal Cell, the researchers noted that the virus, dubbed HKU5-CoV-2, doesn't enter human cells as efficiently as SARS-CoV-2. This bat virus features the furin cleavage site, which aids its entry into cells through the ACE2 receptor protein on cell surfaces.

In laboratory experiments, HKU5-CoV-2 successfully infected human cells with high ACE2 levels in test tubes and models of human intestines and airways. Further experiments identified monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs that effectively target the virus.

Bloomberg reported that the study has influenced the stock prices of COVID vaccine makers, with Pfizer shares closing up 1.5%, Moderna rising 5.3%, and Novavax increasing by about 1% on Friday.

Addressing concerns about another pandemic stemming from this new virus, Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, described the reaction to the study as "overblown." He mentioned that there is now considerable immunity in the population to similar SARS viruses compared to 2019, which may lower the pandemic risk.

The study itself highlighted that HKU5-CoV-2 has a significantly lower binding affinity to human ACE2 than SARS-CoV-2. Other factors not conducive to human adaptation suggest that the "risk of emergence in human populations should not be exaggerated."