A nurse administers the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.
Credit: Fred Tanneau | Afp | Getty Images
Moderna recently announced that its latest Covid vaccine iteration has demonstrated a more robust immune response in a pivotal late-stage trial compared to its existing vaccine. This development arrives as Moderna vies with Pfizer for a larger slice of the Covid vaccine market, amidst efforts to diversify its revenue sources following last year’s dip in demand for Covid-related products. Currently, Moderna’s Spikevax is the company’s sole product available on the market.
The biotech firm’s new vaccine variant not only promises a stronger immune defense but also boasts an extended shelf life and simpler storage requirements. This advancement could significantly ease global distribution challenges, particularly in developing nations lacking advanced cold storage facilities. Moderna achieved this by reducing the mRNA strand’s length in the vaccine, as previously shared with CNBC.
Moreover, this new vaccine plays a pivotal role in Moderna’s innovative combination vaccine, designed to combat both Covid and the flu. The prospect of a dual-protection vaccine has been highlighted by both Moderna and Pfizer as a potential motivator for increased vaccination rates against Covid.
The phase three trial of Moderna’s novel vaccine involved over 11,400 participants aged 12 and above across the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Notably, the vaccine elicited a heightened immune response against the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, as well as the original virus strain, with the most pronounced benefits observed in individuals over 65 years of age, who are at the greatest risk of severe Covid complications.
Common side effects reported were similar to those associated with the approved Spikevax vaccine, including pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and chills.
Moderna plans to present a comprehensive analysis of the trial findings at an upcoming investor event dedicated to vaccines. This event will also spotlight other promising ventures in Moderna’s pipeline.
The company is actively developing vaccines against the flu, cancer, and other diseases. Its vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus is anticipated to receive FDA approval soon. Furthermore, Moderna has outlined ambitious plans to launch up to 15 products over the next five years, a vision first shared during its annual research and development day last September.