Everything you Needed to Know about Moderna

You have likely heard of Moderna’s success with its Covid-19 vaccine. Now, the company is leveraging its mRNA technology to tackle other viruses. Moderna’s experimental mRNA-1083 vaccine combines protection against Covid-19 and influenza, providing convenience and potential cost-savings. A recent phase 3 study showed mRNA-1083 generated a superior immune response compared to existing vaccines in adults over 50. This key demographic suffers disproportionately from these viruses, so an effective combination vaccine would be impactful.

While Moderna’s stock has faced headwinds, its deep pipeline beyond Covid-19, including the newly approved RSV vaccine mRESVIA, makes it an attractive long-term investment. Here, we have a look at Moderna’s mRNA platform and discuss how it could transform the vaccine landscape in the years ahead.

Moderna’s progress on combination vaccines

Moderna is developing several combination vaccines that protect against multiple viruses in one shot. These vaccines offer convenience, are cost-effective and will potentially provide higher vaccination rates.

mRNA-1083 shows promise

Moderna’s mRNA-1083 vaccine combines elements of its Covid-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine. A recent Phase 3 study of mRNA-1083 in adults 50 and older showed it elicited stronger immune response than the company’s licensed Spikevax Covid-19 vaccine and Sanofi’s Fluzone influenza vaccine. Targeting older adults, who experience the worst Covid-19 and influenza symptoms is a prudent strategy. mRNA-1083 could gain approval within a year, depending on regulators.

Combination vaccines benefits

Combination vaccines reduce the number o shots needed, which increases convenience and compliance. They can also help manufacturers, the healthcare system and patients cut down expenses. Some people may get a combination vaccine when they otherwise would not get individual vaccines. For example, a patient may not see the need for an influenza vaccine but would accept a combination coronavirus/influenza vaccine. Combination vaccines may also improve vaccination rates in developing countries where access to healthcare is limited.

Results from Phase 3 of mRNA-1083

Moderna recently announced promising results from a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating mRNA-1083, its combination mRNA vaccine candidate for Covid-19 and influenza. The study met both of its primary endpoints, demonstrating non-inferior immunogenicity compared to licensed vaccines for Covid-19 and influenza in adults aged 50 and older.

Efficacy against Covid-19

The results showed that mRNA-1083 elicited neutralising antibody titers (a type of blood test) against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 that were non-inferior to those of Moderna’s licensed Covid-19 vaccine, Spikevax. Neutralising antibodies are believed to be an important part of the immune response against Covid-19. The candidate vaccine also elicited T cell responses against spike protein peptides that were comparable to Spikevax.

Efficacy against influenza

For influenza, mRNA_1083 elicited hemagglutinisation inhibition assay geometric mean titers that were non-inferior to those of Sanofi’s Fluzone, a licensed quadrivalent influenza vaccine. Hematogglutinisation inhibition titers are used to measure the amount of antibodies in the blood that can prevent the flu virus from binding to red blood cells. The candidate vaccine elicited responses against all four strains of influenza included in the trial.

The results are encouraging and suggest that mRNA-1083 could provide effective protection against Covid-19 and influenza with a single vaccination. The candidate vaccine was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with he individual vaccines. Moderna plans to submit applications for licensure of mRNA-1083 in the near future. If approved, mRNA_1083 could provide a convenient way for people to get immunised against two serious respiratory viruses with one shot.

Challenges for Moderna

However, combination vaccines present certain challenges including ensuring high, long-lasting immune responses to multiple antigens and managing potential side effects. They require extensive testing to prove safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy for each component. Manufacturing combination vaccines is complex, and they may cost more to produce. Educating people about the benefits of combination vaccines and addressing concerns about “too many vaccines at once” are also important to achieving widespread adoption.

Moderna is well-positioned as an innovative biotech company. The recent approval of its respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, mRESVIA, provide additional revenue. If mRNA-1083 and other combination vaccines in development are successful, Moderna’s outlook is promising. Investors have good reason to be optimistic about Moderna’s progress on combination vaccines and beyond.

What other products are in Moderna’s pipeline?

Moderna is developing a unique vaccine for the cytomegalovirus. At the moment, there aren’t any other vaccines approved in this field. Moderna has also partnered with the huge pharmaceutical company Merck to develop mRNA-4157, which is a personalised cancer vaccine. Moderna’s diversified mRNA-based platform has steadily and successfully produced important advances in the past few years, starting with its coronavirus vaccine.

This type of innovative technology was yet to be proved successful in 2020 as there was no mRNA-based vaccine approved or granted authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration until the pandemic. Currently, this technology is not only exciting but extremely promising. All these possibilities and future plans are great news for Moderna and its shareholders.

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