Pharmaceutical giant Moderna announced that the first participant in phase 2 testing of a potential vaccine against the omicron variant.

The company also released data on the long-term effect of the dose of the omicron variant vaccine. In short, says Moderna, neutralization of the omicron variant six months after the third dose of the 1273 mg mRNA-50 vaccine decreased, but was still measurable in all participants.

In addition, Moderna announced the publication of data on neutralizing antibodies against the omicron variant six months after receiving the booster dose, in the New England Medical Journal.

Although neutralization of the omicron variant decreased by 6,3-fold compared to the highest antibody titer levels observed on day 29 after revaccination, it was still measurable in all participants. The titers of the neutralizing antibodies against the omicron variant decreased faster than the titers of the antibodies against the resulting strain of the virus (D614G), which decreased by 2,3 times in the same period, according to Moderna.

"We are encouraged by the persistence of antibodies against the omicron variant six months after receiving the currently approved dose of the 1273 mg mRNA-50 vaccine. "However, given the long-term threat posed by the ability of the omicron variant to evade the immune system, we are continuing to develop our potential vaccine specific against the omicron variant and are pleased to have begun this part of our testing phase." Stefan Bansel, CEO of Moderna.

"We are also evaluating whether we should include this potential vaccine with a specific effect of the omicron variant in our multivalent vaccination development program." "We will continue to share data with health authorities to enable them to make evidence-based decisions on the best SARS-KOV-2 virus vaccination strategies."

Results after revaccination

Moderna previously published preliminary data on neutralizing antibodies against the omicron variant after revaccination with potential vaccines from the revaccination company in doses of 50 mg and 100 mg. The currently approved dose of 50 mg mRNA-1273 vaccine increased the level of neutralizing antibodies against omicron by approximately 37-fold compared to pre-vaccination values, while the 100 mg dose of mRNA-1273 increased neutralizing antibody levels by approximately 83-fold. with the values ​​observed before the revaccination, say in a statement from Moderna.