The well-known biotech company Moderna is preparing to start a phase 1/2 clinical trial of its mpox vaccine this summer.
Hamilton Bennett, Moderna’s senior director of vaccine access and partnerships, revealed the company’s plans in an interview at BIO International, according to intense biotech.
While the mpox vaccine was initially shelved as the immediate outbreak receded, it has now become a priority for Moderna. Bennett expects the vaccine to enter the clinic in about a month.
The aim of the upcoming trial is to build a comprehensive preclinical data package demonstrating efficacy against orthopoxviruses, including mpox and smallpox. Moderna’s goal is to generate solid Phase 1/2 data to guide dose selection and eventual licensing.
Bennett thanks the US mpox response team for their invaluable support, who assisted Moderna by providing access to samples, personnel, and critical information.
Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel has previously said developing an mpox vaccine is not a priority given the company’s focus on multiple assets, including a COVID-19 vaccine. However, Bennett clarified that Bancel’s comments were referring to the relative urgency during the pandemic.
The upcoming trial demonstrates the agility of Moderna’s mRNA platform. In May 2022, the company announced its intention to initiate preclinical work on the mpox vaccine. No update on the vaccine’s progress was provided prior to Bancel’s comments earlier this year.
Bennett emphasized that mpox highlights some of the challenges Moderna can face in developing such a product. Currently, funding for the mpox vaccine is largely allocated to the smallpox vaccine.
Nonetheless, the company recognizes the importance of aggressively addressing major diseases, even if they primarily affect non-high-income countries.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued an alert about an increase in contagious mpox cases. Spread by direct contact, the disease manifests as a rash and infected sores.
While many cases have been linked to the LGBTQ+ community, especially men who have had sex with other men, medical experts from the Vermont Department of Health warn that anyone can be infected.
Richard Elliott from the Vermont Pride Center emphasized the importance of dispelling misconceptions and avoiding stigma based on the origin of the virus or disease.
“The news broke last year about mpox and there was a hotspot in some European countries during Pride last year. People started thinking about where it started and started thinking that these were the people who were carrying the virus and the disease,” According to Elliott, My NBC5.
Published by Medicaldaily.com