It looks like vaccine maker MODERNA has been working on a COVID-19 vaccination forever


Moderna’s Work on a COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

Time is of the essence to provide
a vaccine against this pandemic virus.

Moderna is proud to be among the many groups working to respond to this
continuing global health emergency. This page summarizes key milestones in our
work to advance mRNA-1273, our vaccine candidate against the novel coronavirus.

May 18

Moderna announced positive interim Phase 1 data for mRNA-1273.

May 12

Moderna received FDA Fast Track designation for mRNA-1273.

May 06

Moderna reported that Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director of NIAID, participated in an interview with National Geographic, which described his assessment of the results of certain preclinical testing related to the ongoing Phase 1 clinical study of mRNA-1273.

May 01

Moderna and Lonza announced a worldwide strategic collaboration with the goal to enable manufacturing of up to 1 billion doses of mRNA-1273 per year.

Apr 27

Moderna submitted  an IND to the U.S. FDA for Phase 2 study of mRNA-1273.

Apr 16

BARDA awarded Moderna up to $483 million to accelerate development of mRNA-1273 to enable large-scale production in 2020 for pandemic response.

The NIH-led Phase 1 study of mRNA-1273 completed enrollment of three dose cohorts (25 µg, 100 µg and 250 µg) and expanded to an additional six cohorts: three cohorts of older adults (ages 56 -70) and three cohorts of elderly adults (age 71 and above).

Mar 27

The NIH announced that Emory University in Atlanta would begin enrolling healthy adult volunteers ages 18 to 55 years in the NIH-led Phase 1 study of mRNA-1273.

Mar 23

While a commercially-available vaccine is not likely to be available for at least 12-18 months, Moderna reported it is possible that under emergency use, a vaccine could be available to some people, possibly including healthcare professionals, in the fall of 2020.1

Moderna confirmed that it is scaling up manufacturing capacity toward the production of millions of doses per month, in the potential form of individual or multi-dose vials.2

Mar 16

The NIH announced that the first participant in its Phase 1 study of mRNA-1273 was dosed, a total of 63 days from sequence selection to first human dosing.

Mar 04

The FDA completed its review of the IND application filed by the NIH for mRNA-1273 and allowed the study to proceed to clinical trials.

Feb 24

Moderna shipped the first clinical batch of mRNA-1273 to the NIH for use in their Phase 1 clinical study.

Feb 07

The first clinical batch of mRNA-1273 was completed, a total of 25 days from sequence selection to vaccine manufacture. The batch then proceeded to analytical testing for release.

Jan 13

The NIH and Moderna’s infectious disease research team finalized the sequence for mRNA-1273. Moderna mobilized toward clinical manufacture.

NIAID, part of NIH, disclosed their intent to run a Phase 1 study using mRNA-1273 in response to the coronavirus threat. Manufacture of this batch was funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

Jan 11

Chinese authorities shared the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus.

About mRNA-1273, Moderna’s Vaccine Candidate Against COVID-19

 

Frequently asked questions about our technology & platform

What happens after the Phase 1?

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Phase 1 safety and immunogenicity data from the trial being run by the NIH is expected to guide our next steps. This Phase 1 study will provide important data on the safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1273. Immunogenicity means the ability of the vaccine to induce an immune response in participants. Given the pandemic, we have started to work in parallel to responsibly accelerate further development.

Are you working on further supply of the vaccine?

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Moderna has already started to prepare for rapid acceleration of its manufacturing capabilities that could allow for the future manufacture of millions of doses should mRNA-1273 prove to be safe and of expected benefit. We are working around-the-clock to make sure a vaccine is available as quickly and as broadly as possible. We will continue to work together, with government, industry and other third parties to enable the best chance for success.

How well validated is your mRNA platform?

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mRNA is an emerging platform. Over the past few years, we have demonstrated its potential in vaccines across more than 1,000 subjects in our clinical trials. This includes successful early-stage (Phase 1) clinical trials against five other respiratory viruses (two pandemic influenza strains, RSV, hMPV, and PIV3). Over the last four years, we have started 9 clinical trials for mRNA vaccines.

However, it is important to emphasize that we are still early in the story. Our most advanced vaccine program (CMV) is in Phase 2 clinical testing and we have no approved drugs to date.

Despite this, we are doing everything we can to help in the current emergency by working to develop a safe and effective vaccine for this novel coronavirus.

Have you ever worked on other coronaviruses?

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We had previously collaborated with the NIH on a vaccine for MERS-CoV, which is a different type of coronavirus than the current pandemic. While the program was only at the research stage, it provided significant insights as we launched our efforts for mRNA-1273. Before the Phase 1 study for mRNA-1273, we had not previously tested a coronavirus vaccine in humans.

How was mRNA-1273 able to move so quickly?

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mRNA is an information molecule and we design our mRNA vaccines using the sequence of the virus, not by working on the virus itself. Our mRNA platform provides significant advantages in speed and efficiency, across basic science, manufacturing, and clinical development.

Moderna currently has 9 development candidates in its prophylactic vaccines modality. To date, Moderna has demonstrated positive Phase 1 data readouts for 6 prophylactic vaccines (H10N8, H7N9, RSV, chikungunya virus, hMPV/PIV3 and CMV).

For mRNA-1273, we were able to leverage our experience in vaccines to move rapidly on design and manufacture of material for the Phase 1 clinical trial. This included our broad understanding of the safety of our platform to date across more than 1,000 subjects. We also benefited from the use of our well-established manufacturing capabilities, which produced over 100 batches of mRNA medicines for use in human clinical trials in just the last two years.

Related Resources

Advantages of mRNA Vaccines
Advantages of mRNA Vaccines
Moderna's Research Engine
Moderna’s Research Engine
Moderna employees
Careers at Moderna

1 Any emergency use would be subject to authorization by the appropriate regulatory agencies, based on the emergence of clinical data for mRNA-1273 that would support use of the vaccine prior to licensure.
2 As has previously been disclosed, the ability of the Company to make millions of doses per month is contingent on investments in the scale up and further buildout of the Company’s existing manufacturing infrastructure.


Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including regarding the Company’s development of a potential vaccine against the novel Coronavirus, the conduct and timing of the Phase I study of mRNA-1273, the planning, conduct and timing of a potential Phase 2 and any subsequent trials of mRNA-1273, and potential manufacturing capabilities. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. The forward-looking statements in this summary and FAQ are neither promises nor guarantees, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond Moderna’s control and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others: the fact that there has never been a commercial product utilizing mRNA technology approved for use; the fact that the rapid response technology in use by Moderna is still being developed and implemented; and those other risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Moderna’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in subsequent filings made by Moderna with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as required by law, Moderna disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this summary and FAQ in the event of new information, future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are based on Moderna’s current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof.

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https://www.modernatx.com/modernas-work-potential-vaccine-against-covid-19

 

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