AstraZeneca, Moderna Shares Early Cut Data For mRNA Candidate In Heart Failure

Moderna Inc MRNA announced data from the AstraZeneca Plc AZN-led Phase 2 (EPICCURE) study evaluating AZD8601 in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
AZD8601 is an mRNA therapeutic that encodes for vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A).
In the trial, seven were treated with AZD8601, while four were given a placebo.
After six months of follow-up, investigators concluded the drug met the primary endpoints on safety and tolerability, while the exploratory efficacy analyses support further clinical evaluation.
The companies experimented with injecting AZD8601 directly into the myocardium of patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery.
No deaths, treatment-related serious adverse events, and no infections were reported.
Exploratory efficacy endpoints were also tracked, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), NT-proBNP (a biomarker tied to heart failure) levels, and functional patient-reported outcomes.
Price Action: AZN shares are up 1.73% at $59.82, while MRNA shares are up 1.17% at $233.90 during the market session on the last check Monday.