Moderna Will Expand mRNA Vaccine Pipeline Through 2 New Programs

Moderna will expand its mRNA vaccine pipeline through two new development programs, including a combination respiratory vaccine candidate and a program against four endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs). 

First, Moderna will launch its respiratory combination vaccine program to target three of the most notable viruses causing respiratory disease in older adults. The new combination vaccine candidate, mRNA-1230, will become an annual booster for SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  

The company is also introducing a program to develop vaccine candidate mRNA-1287 for endemic HCoVs, a significant cause of global respiratory disease. Currently, four HCoVs account for nearly 10–30% of upper respiratory tract infections in adults. 

"We are pleased to add a combination respiratory vaccine candidate against three of the leading causes of respiratory disease in older adults, and a vaccine against all four of the endemic human coronaviruses as part of our strategy to address the substantial global burden of respiratory infections," Stephen Hoge, MD, president of Moderna, said in the announcement.  

"Our goal is to develop vaccines to address respiratory infections, and, eventually, combine many into a single annual booster vaccine with the aim of reducing the significant morbidity and mortality caused by these viruses," Hoge continued.  

Respiratory diseases are the leading causes of death and disability globally. About 75,000– 125,000 children are hospitalized with RSV annually. Globally, RSV affects an estimated 64 million people and causes 160,000 deaths each year. 

Most cases of respiratory disease are under-diagnosed and under-treated, which creates a burden to individuals and families.   

In August 2021, FDA granted fast track designation for Moderna's mRNA RSV vaccine, mRNA-1345, after it generated a geometric mean rise in neutralizing antibodies relative to baseline at least 11-fold and increased RSV neutralizing antibodies in seropositive younger adults.  

At the same time, Moderna received fast track designation for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, Zika vaccine candidate (mRNA-1893), methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) (mRNA-3704), and propionic acidemia (PA) (mRNA-3927) programs. 

Two months later, the company announced a new state-of-the-art mRNA facility in Africa to produce even more doses of mRNA vaccines annually. And earlier this month, Moderna and ROVI entered into a long-term collaboration to increase capacities for the compounding, aseptic filling, inspection, and manufacturing of mRNA products over the next ten years.