By Ethan Covey
Moderna’s investigational combination influenza and COVID-19 vaccine has met its phase 3 trial primary end points, according to the company.
The vaccine, which is being called mRNA-1083, elicited higher immune responses against influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 in older adults than currently licensed flu and COVID-19 vaccines. mRNA-1083 consists of components found in mRNA-1010, the company’s seasonal influenza vaccine candidate, and mRNA-1283, their next-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
“Combination vaccines have the potential to reduce the burden of respiratory viruses on health systems and pharmacies, as well as offer people more convenient vaccination options that could improve compliance and provide stronger protection from seasonal illnesses,” said Stéphane Bancel, the CEO of Moderna.
The phase 3 trial features two cohorts of approximately 4,000 adults each. The first cohort compared mRNA-1083 with coadministered Fluzone High-Dose (Sanofi), an enhanced influenza vaccine, plus Spikevax, Moderna’s current COVID-19 vaccine, licensed for adults 65 years of age and older. The second cohort consisted of adults 50 to 64 years of age, and compared mRNA-1083 with coadministered Fluarix (GSK), a standard-dose influenza vaccine, plus Spikevax.
In both cohorts, the immune response from mRNA-1083 was noninferior to the other vaccines, and elicited higher immune responses against H1N1, H3N2 and B/Victoria influenza virus strains.
“Moderna is the only company with a positive phase 3 flu and COVID combination vaccine,” Mr. Bancel said. “Building on the momentum of positive phase 3 data across our respiratory portfolio, we continue to address significant unmet medical needs and advance public health.”
Mr. Bancel is an employee of Moderna.
