Moderna, Pfizer's Updated COVID Shot Shows Effectiveness Against 'Eris' Variant In Early Human, Preclinical Studies

Moderna Inc MRNA announced that preliminary clinical trial data confirm its updated COVID-19 vaccine for the fall 2023 vaccination season showed a significant boost in neutralizing antibodies against EG.5 and FL.1.5.1 variants. 

These results suggest that Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine may effectively target the expected circulating variants of COVID-19 during the upcoming vaccination season.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified the EG.5, or "Eris," strain as a variant of interest. 

EG.5 is now the dominant variant in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while accounting for a growing proportion of cases across the globe. The FL 1.5.1, or "Fornax," variant is also beginning to surge in parts of the U.S.

"These new results, which show that our updated COVID-19 vaccine generates a robust immune response against the rapidly spreading EG.5 and FL 1.5.1 strains and reflects our updated vaccine's ability to address emerging COVID-19 threats," said Stephen Hoge, M.D., President of Moderna.

In addition to demonstrating a human immune response against the EG.5 and FL 1.5.1 strains, Moderna previously presented the only clinical trial data confirming that its updated COVID-19 vaccine showed robust human immune responses across the key circulating XBB strains at the June 2023 FDA VRBPAC. 

Moderna has confirmed an antibody response against current strains of concern with this new trial data.

Moderna has submitted its updated COVID-19 vaccine to the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, and other regulators. Pending authorization, it will be ready for fall vaccination with sufficient global supply.

Pfizer Inc PFE also said that its updated COVID-19 shot showed neutralizing activity against the "Eris" subvariant in a study conducted on mice.

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech SE BNTX have created versions of their shots aimed at the XBB.1.5 subvariant.

EG.5 accounted for about more than 17% of COVID-19 cases in the United States, according to the latest government data.

In the U.S., COVID-19-related hospitalizations are up more than 40% off of recent lows hit in June but are still more than 90% below peak levels during the January 2022 Omicron outbreak.

EG.5 has also been detected in China, South Korea, Japan, and Canada, among other countries.

Price Action: MRNA shares are down 0.11% at $106.12 during the premarket session on the last check Friday.