Moderna Finds ‘Robust Antibody Response’ in Omicron-Specific Booster

June 8, 2022 — Take that, Omicron. Results of a trial a mix COVID-19 vaccine booster reveals a “robust antibody response” towards the Omicron variant, vaccine producer Moderna introduced Wednesday.

The neutralizing antibody response was eight occasions better at 1 month following a 50-mcg dose with the booster containing each the unique mRNA-1273 vaccine and a brand new vaccine in growth that particularly targets the Omicron variant.

The bivalent vaccine, mRNA-1273.214, was in comparison with a 50-mcg dose of the unique vaccine alone in 473 seronegative individuals within the Phase 2/3 trial.

These outcomes supply promise of better safety towards Omicron following earlier reviews that confirmed that present COVID-19 vaccines weren’t as efficient towards the Omicron variant.

Safety and tolerability of the brand new vaccine was in step with a previous booster dose of the unique vaccine, the corporate reported.

Moderna additionally has a bivalent vaccine booster in growth that features the unique vaccine and a vaccine particular to the Beta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Moderna plans to file this new knowledge with the FDA as a part of its software requesting authorization.

“We anticipate extra sturdy safety towards variants of concern with mRNA-1273.214, making it our lead candidate for a Fall 2022 booster,” Stephane Bancel, chief govt officer at Moderna, stated in an organization information launch. “We are submitting our preliminary knowledge and evaluation to regulators with the hope that the Omicron-containing bivalent booster will likely be obtainable within the late summer time.”