what happened
Shares of Modern (NASDAQ: MRNA) jumped 8.3% on Thursday after biotechnology said it had evaluated the first participants in a study evaluating the new coronavirus-boosting vaccine candidates.
Approximately
It is believed that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine provides some protection against all the most common coronavirus variants, including the strains first identified in the United Kingdom and South Africa. However, biotechnology is testing whether a booster dose can provide even more protection, especially for people who are more vulnerable to severe forms of the disease.
Moderna’s share price rose sharply on Thursday over optimism for vaccine promotion. Image Source: Getty Images.
To do so, it will provide a single booster dose to 60 participants in the ongoing Phase 2 study already vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1273. Some participants will receive a variety-specific boost candidate targeted at the South African strain, while others will receive a dose that combines the booster with the previously authorized Moderna vaccine.
Now what
If the booster vaccines prove to be safe and provide an additional layer of protection against coronavirus variants, it could become a major weapon in the global fight against COVID-19. In the process, they would also provide Moderna with a significant new source of recurring revenue, especially if the boost shots are needed annually or every six months.
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