Moderna To Test New COVID-19 Vaccine Targeting South Africa Strain

Moderna Inc (NASDAQ: MRNA) is experimenting with several potential methods of combating the new COVID-19 virus strain, including:
- The South Africa variant-specific booster candidate at the 50 µg dose level and lower.
- An additional booster shot combining the South Africa-specific vaccine and its existing vaccine in a single vaccine at the 50 µg dose level and lower.
- The third dose of its existing authorized vaccine, as a booster at the 50 µg dose level. Dosing has already begun.
- Evaluate both the combined vaccine and the South Africa-specific as an initial shot for people who haven’t yet been vaccinated, at the 100 µg dose level and lower.
The company completed manufacturing raw material for a booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine modified to target the South Africa strain, also known as B.1.351.
The latest jab, code-named mRNA-1273.351, has been shipped to the US National Institutes of Health for additional study.
Phase 1 trial will be led and funded by the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
In parallel, the company will be conducting its own clinical studies to support regulatory filings for any booster vaccine or updated primary vaccine.
Price Action: MRNA is up 4.46% at $151.25 in premarket trading on the last check Thursday.