Lin and collaborators developed an engineered ACE2 decoy receptor that neutralizes multiple SARS‑CoV‑2 variants, including mutant strains with altered spike proteins. The decoy binds viral spike proteins, preventing cell entry, and retained activity across a panel of circulating mutations tested in vitro. Authors position the decoy receptor as a mutation‑tolerant antiviral modality that could complement vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, especially where immune escape reduces therapeutic antibody efficacy.