masslive.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-massachusetts-based-biotechnology-company-moderna-inc-tests-for-potential-covid-19-vaccine-mrna-1273.html
Researchers from the Massachusetts based biotechnology company, Moderna Inc., gave the first test round of a possible COVID-19 vaccine to the first human test subject on Monday.
“It's a trial of 45 normal individuals between the ages of 18 and 55. The trial is taking place in Seattle. There will be two injections, one at zero-day and [one at] 28 days. It will be three separate doses 25 mg, 100 mg [and] 250 mg.” said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Monday afternoon. “The individuals will be followed for a year, both for safety and whether it induces the kind of response that we predicted.”
The name of the test vaccine on trial is ‘mRNA-1273,’ which the National Institutes of Health and Moderna’s infectious disease research team finished sequencing on Jan. 13. On Jan. 11, Chinese authorities shared the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus helping Moderna to sequence for the tests being conducted.
“This Phase one study will provide important data on the safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1273,” said the Moderna website. “Immunogenicity means the ability of the vaccine to induce an immune response in participants. The open-label trial is expected to enroll 45 healthy adult volunteers ages 18 to 55 years over approximately six weeks.”
Monday’s landmark is just the beginning of a series of studies needed to prove whether the shots are safe and could treat the people infected by this pandemic. If the research goes well, a vaccine wouldn’t be available for use in a year or more.
“We’re team coronavirus now,” Kaiser Permanente study leader Dr. Lisa Jackson said on the eve of the experiment to The Associated Press. “Everyone wants to do what they can in this emergency.”
Moderna said that they are preparing to accelerate its manufacturing so it can supply millions of vaccines in the future if mRNA-1273 proves 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,” stated the website. “We will continue to work together, with government, industry and other third parties to enable the best chance for success.” |
Thread abonnieren
