Study suggests mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines remain effective against variants
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over four million deaths and infected over 194 million worldwide. In an effort to counter the rapid spread of the virus, which has an unpredictable propensity to cause severe or even fatal disease in a significant minority of cases, vaccines were developed at an unprecedentedly rapid rate.
Background
The emergence of several SARS-CoV-2 variants that are associated with higher transmissibility and sometimes greater virulence than the wildtype SARS-CoV-2 strain has challenged the assumption that successful global vaccination can be the sole solution for combatting this virus. In fact, many of these variants have been declared variants of concern (VOCs), as they resist neutralization by antibodies directed against the virus following either natural infection or vaccination.
Moderna Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results and Provides Business Updates
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SARS-CoV-2 Variant Booster Program Update
: Single booster dose of 50 µg of mRNA-1273 or mRNA-1273.351 increased neutralizing titers against SARS-CoV-2 and two Variants of Concern (B.1.351, P.1) in previously vaccinated clinical trial participants
TeenCOVE Study Update
: Initial analysis of the Phase 2/3 TeenCOVE study of mRNA-1273 showed vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 of 96%; mRNA-1273 was generally well tolerated with no serious safety concerns identified to date
2021 and 2022 Vaccine Manufacturing: Company increased its 2021 supply forecast to between 800 million and 1 billion doses; Company making investments to increase global supply for COVID-19 Vaccine to up to 3 billion doses in 2022
Moderna has reported the first profitable quarter in the company’s history: after 10 years of research and several billion dollars of investment in its mRNA platform. The next step will be to start a rolling submission for a Biologics License Application (BLA) for its COVID-19 vaccine with the FDA this month.
Total revenue for the company was $1.9bn in Q1 (three months ended March 31, 2021): compared to $8m for the same period in 2020. Net income was $1.2bn for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $124m the year before.
Sales for 2021 are projected to total $19.2 billion.
And looking forward, Moderna predicts that 2022 COVID-19 vaccine sales will exceed 2021’s sales.
Moderna Starts New COVID-19 Vaccine Trial by Angela Mohan on March 17, 2021 at 2:17 PM
First participants have been dosed in the Phase 1 study of mRNA-1283, Moderna s next generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which will assess the safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1283. We are pleased to begin this Phase 1 study of our next generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate, mRNA-1283, said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna. Our investments in our mRNA platform have enabled us to develop this next generation vaccine candidate, which is a potential refrigerator-stable vaccine that could facilitate easier distribution and administration in a wider range of settings, including potentially for developing countries, Bancel added.
Moderna begins trial of next-gen booster Covid vax
Tue, Mar 16 2021 05:02:00 PM
New York, Mar 16 (IANS): Biotechnology company Moderna announced that the first participants have been dosed in the Phase 1 study of mRNA-1283, the company s next generation Covid-19 vaccine candidate.
This Phase 1 dose-ranging study will assess the safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1283, the company said in a statement. We are pleased to begin this Phase 1 study of our next generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate, mRNA-1283, said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna. Our investments in our mRNA platform have enabled us to develop this next generation vaccine candidate, which is a potential refrigerator-stable vaccine that could facilitate easier distribution and administration in a wider range of settings, including potentially for developing countries, Bancel added.