New data on Moderna's omicron-containing bivalent booster candidate

US mRNA specialist Moderna (Nasdaq: MRNA) today announced new clinical data on its bivalent Omicron (BA.1) booster candidate, mRNA-1273.214, lifting the firm’s shares 1.5% to $179.07 by mid-morning.

One month after administration in previously vaccinated and boosted participants, a 50μg booster dose of mRNA-1273.214 elicited significantly higher neutralizing antibody responses against the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 compared to the currently authorized booster (mRNA-1273) regardless of prior infection status or age [adults over 18, greater or less than 65 years old].

Among participants without prior infection, bivalent mRNA-1273.214 resulted in significantly higher neutralizing titers against BA.4/5 compared to the currently authorized booster, with a geometric mean ratio of 1.69 (95% CI: 1.51-1.90)1. One month after booster, BA.4/5 neutralizing titers were 776 (95% CI: 719, 838) for mRNA-1273.214 and 458 (95% CI: 421, 499) for the currently authorized booster. The BA.4/5 geometric mean fold rise (GMFR) from pre-booster levels was 6.3-fold (95% CI: 5.7, 6.9) for mRNA-1273.214 recipients, and 3.5-fold (95% CI: 3.2, 3.9) for mRNA-1273 recipients. Consistent results were demonstrated across subgroups, including in those age 65 and older. The complete data has been submitted for peer reviewed publication and shared with regulators.