Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell (blue) heavily infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (red), isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland.
NIAID-Led Study of mRNA Vaccine Supports Advance to Phase 3 Human Trials
Two doses of an experimental vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced robust immune responses and rapidly controlled the coronavirus in the upper and lower airways of rhesus macaques exposed to SARS-CoV-2, report scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19.
The candidate vaccine, mRNA-1273, was co-developed by scientists at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center and at Moderna, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts. The animal study results published online today in the New England Journal of Medicine complement recently reported interim results from an NIAID-sponsored Phase 1 clinical trial of mRNA-1273. The candidate mRNA-1273 vaccine is manufactured by Moderna.
In this study, three groups of eight rhesus macaques received two injections of 10 or 100 micrograms (µg) of mRNA-1273 or a placebo. Injections were spaced 28 days apart. Vaccinated macaques produced high levels of neutralizing antibodies directed at the surface spike protein used by SARS-CoV-2 to attach to and enter cells. Notably, say the investigators, animals receiving the 10-µg or 100-µg dose vaccine candidate produced neutralizing antibodies in the blood at levels well above those found in people who recovered from COVID-19.
The experimental vaccine also induced Th1 T-cell responses but not Th2 responses. Induction of Th2 responses has been associated with a phenomenon called vaccine-associated enhancement of respiratory disease (VAERD). Vaccine-induced Th1 responses have not been associated with VAERD for other respiratory diseases. In addition, the experimental vaccine induced T follicular helper T-cell responses that may have contributed to the robust antibody response.
Four weeks after the second injection, all the macaques were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 via both the nose and the lungs. Remarkably, after two days, no replicating virus was detectable in the lungs of seven out of eight of the macaques in both vaccinated groups, while all eight placebo-injected animals continued to have replicating virus in the lung. Moreover, none of the eight macaques vaccinated with 100 µg of mRNA-1273 had detectable virus in their noses two days after virus exposure. This is the first time an experimental COVID-19 vaccine tested in nonhuman primates has been shown to produce such rapid viral control in the upper airway, the investigators note. A COVID-19 vaccine that reduces viral replication in the lungs would limit disease in the individual, while reducing shedding in the upper airway would potentially lessen transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and consequently reduce the spread of disease, they add.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
mRNA Vaccine
- Moderna Announces New Drug Application Submitted to Import and Distribute Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate in Japanon March 4, 2021 at 10:32 pm
Moderna announces New Drug Application submitted to import and distribute Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate in Japan.
- Japan's Takeda seeks govt approval for Moderna COVID-19 vaccineon March 4, 2021 at 10:03 pm
Japan's regulators were asked on Friday to approve use of the COVID-19 vaccine of Moderna Inc MRNA.O, the third such vaccine in the nation that began its inoculation effort last month. The filing was ...
- CureVac and Novartis Sign Initial Agreement on Manufacturing of COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate, CVnCoVon March 4, 2021 at 9:35 pm
Novartis plans to start manufacturing of the mRNA and bulk drug product of CureVac's COVID-19 vaccine candidate, CVnCoV, in Q2 2021 Anticipated production of up to 50 million doses by the end of 2021 ...
- Got Questions About Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 Vaccine? We Have Answerson March 4, 2021 at 9:00 pm
The third COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in the U.S. requires one shot instead of two, and works a slightly different way from the others. Here's what we know about its safety and effectiveness.
- Fact Check-The COVID-19 vaccine does not change recipients’ genetic makeupon March 4, 2021 at 6:57 pm
A Facebook post referring to debunked theories around genetic modification has suggested vaccines could stop someone being human. This is false.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
mRNA Vaccine
Go deeper with Bing News on:
mRNA-1273
- Moderna Announces New Drug Application Submitted to Import and Distribute Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate in Japanon March 4, 2021 at 10:30 pm
Once available, the Phase 1/2 study results will be submitted to the Japan Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Takeda and Moderna previously announced that Takeda will import and ...
- Why Moderna Could Be Worth $100 Billion Within 5 Yearson March 4, 2021 at 3:01 am
The most important factor by far behind Singh's bullish view on Moderna is the company's COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA-1273. Moderna expects to rake in $18.4 billion in sales from mRNA-1273 this year. And ...
- Researchers urge greater awareness of delayed skin reactions to Moderna COVID-19 vaccineon March 4, 2021 at 12:39 am
As the speed and scale of vaccinations against the SARS-CoV-2 virus ramps up globally, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) are calling for greater awareness and communication around a ...
- Researchers call for more awareness relating to delayed skin reactions to Moderna COVID-19 vaccineon March 3, 2021 at 12:51 pm
As the speed and scale of vaccinations against the SARS-CoV-2 virus ramps up globally, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) are calling for greater awareness and communication around a ...
- Delayed second dose strategy with mRNA vaccines may reduce COVID-19 mortality, say researcherson March 2, 2021 at 11:29 pm
An interesting new preprint shows that even if countries are forced to delay the second dose of the current vaccines administered against SARS-CoV-2, to arrest the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ...