Moderna, a prominent biotech company, announced on Wednesday that its forthcoming fall Covid booster, awaiting approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), exhibited robust efficacy against the highly mutated BA.2.86 variant.
Clinical trial results revealed a remarkable 8.7-fold surge in neutralizing antibodies targeting this variant, also recognized as Pirola. Notably, Pirola has earned the distinction of being categorized as a monitored variant. Moderna has diligently submitted these findings to a prestigious peer-reviewed journal and promptly shared them with regulatory authorities.
Stephen Hoge, the esteemed President of Moderna, expressed, “These data substantiate the continued significance of our updated Covid-19 vaccine as we approach the autumn vaccination season.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have raised concerns that this new variant, BA.2.86, might possess an enhanced capability to infect individuals who have either been vaccinated or previously contracted the disease.
Moderna’s announcement coincides with a global wave of optimism stemming from promising results emerging from independent laboratories across the globe.
AFP
