Pharma To Date

With the recent surge of mpox clade Ib and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a public health emergency, the urgency for effective vaccines has never been greater. Moderna's new mRNA vaccine candidate, mRNA-1769, has demonstrated promising results in recent animal studies, significantly outperforming the existing Jynneos vaccine in preventing severe symptoms of mpox.

Mpox, a viral disease that has been causing concern globally, saw a new variant, clade Ib, spreading rapidly from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The WHO’s emergency declaration reflects the severity of the outbreak and the need for improved preventive measures. Moderna's mRNA-1769 vaccine has emerged as a notable development in this context, showing superior efficacy in animal models compared to the currently dominant Jynneos vaccine.

In recent preclinical trials involving cynomolgus macaques, Moderna's vaccine exhibited a higher degree of protection. While Jynneos led to severe disease in several macaques, all animals vaccinated with mRNA-1769 survived and showed fewer lesions. The mRNA-1769 vaccine reduced peak lesion counts dramatically and controlled viral loads more effectively than Jynneos, suggesting it may offer better protection against severe mpox symptoms.

The vaccine’s success is attributed to its mRNA technology, which directs the immune system to target key viral proteins with precision. This contrasts with the Jynneos vaccine, which relies on a weakened virus, potentially leading to a less focused immune response. Moderna's approach not only demonstrated fewer lesions but also reduced viral shedding, which could lower transmission risk.

As mRNA-1769 progresses to phase 1/2 clinical trials in the UK, these findings underscore its potential to enhance current mpox prevention strategies. The rapid development and promising results of Moderna’s vaccine are crucial given the ongoing mpox emergency and the pressing need for effective preventive solutions. This advancement could significantly impact public health efforts to control and mitigate the spread of mpox globally.