Moderna vaccine works against new coronavirus variants, tests show

In a relief to those concerned over the emerging coronavirus variants across the world, some more infectious and others more deadly than the variants seen so far, Moderna has announced that early laboratory studies show its coronavirus vaccine can trigger antibodies to fight SARS-nCoV-2019.

In a statement, Moderna said it had conducted in-vitro neutralisation trials against all emerging variants of the virus, including B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, first identified in the UK and Republic of South Africa. While the vaccine proved as effective against the B.1.1.7 UK strain as was recorded against earlier strains, there was a “six-fold reduction in neutralising titers with the B.1.351 South African variant. However, Moderna says “neutralizing titer levels with B.1.351 remain above levels that are expected to be protective”. Nevertheless, the lower titers “may suggest a potential risk of earlier waning of immunity to the new B.1.351 strains”.

The company has submitted a manuscript of its study as a preprint to bioRxiv, which has to be submitted for peer-review.

The UK variant of the coronavirus has been detected in at least 60 countries so far, including the United States, Russia, Brazil, India and Spain—countries among the worst-affected by the virus.

First detected in September 2020 in the United Kingdom, the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant has seventeen mutations in the viral genome with eight mutations located in the spike (S) protein. The B.1.351 variant, first detected in South Africa, has ten mutations located in the spike (S) protein. Both variants have spread at a rapid rate and are associated with increased transmission and a higher viral burden after infection.

Moderna said in an “abundance of caution” it would be testing an additional booster dose of its vaccine against both strains, launching a clinical program to boost immunity to emerging variants. Learn more:

“The two-dose regimen of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine at the 100 µg dose is expected to be protective against emerging strains detected to date,” Moderna said. “Nonetheless, Moderna today announced its clinical strategy to proactively address the pandemic as the virus continues to evolve. First, the Company will test an additional booster dose of its COVID-19 Vaccine (mRNA-1273) to study the ability to further increase neutralizing titers against emerging strains beyond the existing primary vaccination series. Second, the Company is advancing an emerging variant booster candidate (mRNA-1273.351) against the B.1.351 variant first identified in the Republic of South Africa.”

Moderna has received authorisation for its COVID-19 vaccine in the United States, Canada, Israel, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. An Economic Times report said that Tata Medical & Diagnostics is in talks with the company to launch its vaccine in India.