The mpox epidemic in Africa is seeing an alarming increase, but fortunately, Moderna is developing a vaccine that is showing promising signs. Early trials indicate an efficacy that would surpass that of current vaccines. What impact could this have on the mpox pandemic?
Tl;dr
- Moderna is developing a promising vaccine against MPOX.
- The vaccine uses messenger RNA technology to fight the virus.
- Animal tests show superior efficacy to existing vaccines.
- The first clinical trials on humans are planned in the United Kingdom.
Promising hopes in the fight against mpox
Faced with the resurgence of MPOX in Africa, the Moderna laboratory is mobilizing to develop an innovative vaccine. Already promising In the first phases of testing, this vaccine stands out for its remarkable effectiveness compared to other existing injections.
A technological breakthrough for Moderna
Moderna’s experimental vaccine, dubbed mRNA-1769is based on the mRNA technology. The latter allows genetic instructions to be given to our immune system to recognize the virus’s antigens. This process differs from the traditional method used in vaccines such as Jynneos, Imvanex and Imvamune which contain a weakened virus.
Conclusive tests on animals
The first tests of this vaccine were carried out on macaques. After eight weeks of observation, all vaccinated animals survived a lethal strain of mpox, unlike those not vaccinated. The mRNA-1769 vaccine also reduced the period of visibility of lesions and the viral load, thus limiting the risk of transmission.
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Next step: human testing
With these encouraging results, Moderna is now planning to launch the first clinical trials on humans in the United Kingdom. This progress is all the more crucial as Africa faces a resurgence of MPOX, prompting the World Health Organization to trigger its highest level of health alert.
Editorial opinion
It’s exciting to see how science and technology can come together to combat diseases like MPOX. Moderna’s innovative approach, combined with mRNA technology, could revolutionize the way we fight this scourge. It’s a remarkable breakthrough that we hope will save many lives.
