ZCZC
BFF-34
HEALTH-VIRUS-US-VACCINE
US firm announces ‘positive interim’ phase 1 results for virus vaccine
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – US biotech firm Moderna
reported “positive interim” results on Monday in the first clinical
tests of its vaccine against the new coronavirus performed on a small
number of volunteers.
The vaccine, mRNA-1273, appeared to produce an immune response in
eight people who received it, of the same magnitude as that observed
in people convalescing from the virus, the company said.
The complete results of the phase 1 test, the first in the
development of a vaccine and which in this case involved 45
participants, were not yet known.
The vaccine “was generally safe and well tolerated,” Moderna said
in a statement.
“These interim phase 1 data, while early, demonstrate that
vaccination with mRNA-1273 elicits an immune response of the magnitude
caused by natural infection,” Tal Zaks, Moderna’s chief medical
officer, said.
The clinical test was carried out by the National Institutes of
Health, and the US government has invested a half billion dollars in
the development of Moderna’s vaccine candidate.
Three groups of 15 patients received three different doses of the vaccine.
Phase 2 tests, with a larger number of subjects, should begin soon,
and according to Moderna. The phase 3 trial, the last and most
important to validate the efficacy of a vaccine, should begin in July.
Separate tests performed on mice showed that the vaccine prevented
the virus from replicating in their lungs, according to the company.
“The Moderna team continues to focus on moving as fast as safely
possible to start our pivotal Phase 3 study in July,” said Stephane
Bancel, Moderna’s CEO.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1925hrs