Moderna expands COVID-19 vaccines to treat related illnesses
CDC data shows more than 217M Americans are fully vaccinated against coronavirus
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Moderna said Tuesday that it would expand its COVID-19 vaccine to treat related illnesses.
The biotech company announced the extension of its "mRNA pipeline" with two development programs that build on the company's experience with the "Spikevax" vaccine.
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The programs include a combination respiratory vaccine candidate and a new initiative against all four of the endemic human coronaviruses (HCoV).
The respiratory combination vaccine program will be launched to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Dr. Salma Elfaki holds a vial of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a Moderna clinical trial for adolescents being conducted by Accel Research Sites with Nona Pediatric Center in Orlando on Sept. 25, 2021. ( Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The new combination respiratory vaccine candidate (mRNA-1230) is envisioned as an annual booster targeting the diseases.
In addition, Moderna explained the need for a program to develop a vaccine candidate (mRNA-1287) against endemic human coronaviruses.
The vaccine-maker noted that the coronaviruses are a significant cause of respiratory disease worldwide, with HCoV-229E, -NL63, -OC43, and -HKU1 accounting for approximately 10% to 30% of upper respiratory tract infections in adults.
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| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRNA | MODERNA INC. | 43.06 | -0.33 | -0.76% |
Moderna highlighted that respiratory tract infections disproportionately impact older adults, who experience more severe illness and greater mortality.
"We are pleased to add a combination respiratory vaccine candidate against three of the leading causes of respiratory disease in older adults, and a vaccine against all four of the endemic human coronaviruses as part of our strategy to address the substantial global burden of respiratory infections," Moderna President Dr. Stephen Hoge said in a statement. "Our goal is to develop vaccines to address respiratory infections, and eventually combine many into a single annual booster vaccine with the aim of reducing the significant morbidity and mortality caused by these viruses."
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 217.1 million Americans have been fully vaccinated and 96.7 million have received a booster shot.
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Moderna asked the Food and Drug Administration last week to authorize a fourth shot of its COVID-19 vaccine as a booster for all adults, in a broader request than that of rival company Pfizer.