Moderna says recent Covid vaccine showed positive late-stage data

Moderna on Tuesday said a new edition of its Covid vaccine triggered a stronger immune response against the virus than its current shot in a late-stage trial. 

The outcomes come as Moderna competes with rival Pfizer for more share of the Covid vaccine market and tries to diversify its revenue streams after the world saw a plunge in demand for Covid products last yr. Moderna’s current Covid vaccine, generally known as Spikevax, is its only commercially available product. 

The biotech company’s recent shot could offer an extended shelf life and easier storage than its Covid vaccine. 

Moderna’s recent shot is designed to last more when refrigerated. That might make the jab easier to distribute all over the world, especially in developing countries that won’t have freezer capabilities. The corporate will accomplish that by shortening the length of the mRNA strand within the vaccine, Moderna previously told CNBC. 

The brand new shot can also be a “critical component” of Moderna’s combination vaccine targeting Covid and the flu, the corporate said in a release. Each Moderna and Pfizer have said that the convenience of receiving protection against two viruses without delay could encourage more people to get vaccinated against Covid. 

The phase three trial followed roughly 11,400 people ages 12 and older within the U.S., U.K. and Canada. 

Moderna’s recent shot specifically triggered the next immune response against omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 and the unique strain of the virus than the corporate’s bivalent vaccine targeting those variants. The advantages were “most acutely” seen in patients over the age of 65, who’re also at highest risk of severe illness from Covid. 

Essentially the most common unintended effects were injection site pain, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and chills, in line with the corporate’s release. Overall, Moderna said the protection profile is comparable to the approved vaccine Spikevax. 

An in depth evaluation of the late-stage trial results will probably be presented at Moderna’s vaccines event for investors Wednesday. On the event, the corporate will highlight other parts of its pipeline. 

Moderna is working to develop shots against the flu, cancer and other disease. The corporate’s shot against respiratory syncytial virus is anticipated to win Food and Drug Administration approval in May.

Moderna has also said it plans to launch as much as 15 products in the following five years — a goal it first outlined during its annual research and development day in September.