Positive Phase III data for Moderna’s combo vaccine against flu and COVID-19

US mRNA specialist Moderna (Nasdaq: MRNA) today announced that its Phase III trial of mRNA-1083, an investigational combination vaccine against influenza and COVID-19, has met its primary endpoints, eliciting a higher immune response than the licensed comparator vaccines used in the trial. The company’s shares edged up 1.3% to $152.99 in pre-market trading.

"Combination vaccines have the potential to reduce the burden of respiratory viruses on health systems and pharmacies, as well as offer people more convenient vaccination options that could improve compliance and provide stronger protection from seasonal illnesses," said Stéphane Bancel, chief executive of Moderna, adding: "Moderna is the only company with a positive Phase III flu and COVID combination vaccine. Building on the momentum of positive Phase III data across our respiratory portfolio, we continue to address significant unmet medical needs and advance public health."

Competitors Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and BioNTech (Nasdaq: BNTX) – who developed the most successful COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty - are testing a similar two-in-one mRNA vaccine against flu and Covid. Scientists hope mRNA vaccines will be faster to make and update than the current ones used against flu, and be a better match for ever-changing virus strains.