Moderna COVID-19 Boosters Show Preclinical Efficacy Versus South African Variant

Moderna, Inc. revealed on 14 April that preclinical data indicate its vaccine booster candidates against the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2 increase neutralizing titers, a sign of potential efficacy against the B.1.351 variant. The company did not provide statistical data, which it said will be submitted for a peer-review publication, but saw encouraging early data for the boosters and the multivalent approach added to its MRNA-1273 vaccine.

The Cambridge, MA-based firm said during an event to update investors on its vaccine pipeline that the MRNA-1273.351 booster and the MRNA-1273.211 multivalent candidate both increased neutralizing titers in mouse models, with the latter providing a broader level of immunity. (Also see "Coronavirus Update: Moderna’s Variant-Targeting Vaccine Moves Into Trial, J&J Looks Set For US Authorization" - Scrip, 24 February, 2021.) A booster shot of MRNA-1273