Moderna Expands mRNA Vaccine Pipeline for HSV, VZV, Cancer

Moderna recently expanded its mRNA pipeline with three new development programs, including an HSV mRNA vaccine, a varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine, and a checkpoint cancer vaccine.

First, Moderna expects its HSV-2 vaccine candidate, mRNA-1608, could cross-protect against HSV-1. The company aims to induct strong antibody responses with neutralizing effector functionality combined with cell-mediated immunity.

Herpes simplex virus is categorized into HSV-1, which infects the mouth, face, and genitals, and HSV-2, which infects the genitals. Both viruses establish lifelong latent infections within nearby sensory neurons.

About 18.6 million adults aged 18 to 49 years are living with HSV-2. And globally, nearly five percent of the population in this age group range is HSV-2 seropositive. Moderna believes an HSV vaccine could deliver similar efficacy as suppressive antiviral treatment and improve compliance and quality of life.

Currently, there is no vaccine approved for HSV.

The second vaccine in Moderna’s pipeline is mRNA-1468, designed to express VZV glycoprotein E (gE) to reduce the rates of shingles. Shingles occuroccurs in one of three adults in their lifetime, a rate that dramatically increases at approximately 50 years of age.

VZV causes shingles and serious herpes zoster complications, including postherpetic neuralgia, bacterial coinfections, and cranial and peripheral palsies. About one to four percent of herpes zoster cases are hospitalized for complications.

Finally, Moderna’s last development program includes a checkpoint cancer vaccine, mRNA-4359. mRNA-4359 stimulates T-cells that target and kill suppressive immune and tumor cells that express target antigens.

The company will explore initial indications for advanced or metastatic cutaneous melanoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer diagnosis in the US, accounting for about 5.3 percent of all new cancer diagnoses and 1.5 percent of cancer-related deaths. Approximately 18,000 new patients are diagnosed with stage IIIB+ cutaneous melanoma in the US annually.

Additionally, about 115,000 people are diagnosed with metastatic NSCLC or progress. To metastatic disease annually in the US. The current treatment approach depends on the presence of PD-L1 expression.