Covid-19 vaccine: We are ready to launch, says Moderna

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch

With strong immune responses found in all age groups, Moderna Inc is planning to launch their experimental coronavirus vaccine.

“We are actively preparing for the launch of mRNA-1273 and we have signed a number of supply agreements with governments around the world,” Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a press release. The company has received $1.1 billion in customer deposits for the shots during the third quarter, the company mentioned in the filing, the Live Mint reports.

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine includes genetic material called messenger RNA, or mRNA which enables the immune system to fight the virus, scientists think. Classified as mRNA-1273, the vaccine has been developed by Moderna in partnership with the US government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), the report said.

“Moderna is committed to the highest data quality standards and rigorous scientific research as we continue to work with regulators to advance mRNA-1273,” CEO added.

According to a study by the New England Journal of Medicine the COVID-19 vaccine was generally well-tolerated across all age groups and induced rapid and strong immune responses.

The study also suggests that “The vaccine produced high levels of both binding and neutralizing antibodies in older adults.”

The vaccine is currently being tested in a large human trial. Moderna recently finished enrolling participants for a 30,000-volunteer study that is testing whether the vaccine can help prevent COVID-19. Early data from the trial is expected in the coming weeks.

Moderna Inc earlier told Reuters it would seek emergency FDA authorization to use its vaccine in high-risk groups if an interim assessment of its trial showed its vaccine was at least 70% effective, the Live Mint report said.