The vaccine was tested in 814 adults, all of whom had received the original ‘Moderna’ vaccine, Spikevax, as their first three doses.
About half of the participants in the trial received the fourth dose of Spikevax, and the rest received the bivalent vaccine.
Those receiving the bivalent vaccine had significantly higher levels of neutralizing antibodies to the omicron variant.
For the bivalent vaccine group, these levels were on average 75% higher than for the second group, which received the fourth dose of Spikevax. The group receiving the bivalent vaccine also showed greater protection against the original strain of the virus.
“We are delighted,” said Stefan Banzel, chief executive of Moderna, adding that the bivalent vaccine is likely to be Moderna’s lead candidate for approval for the primary vaccination this fall.
He said in a conversation with investors that the company wants to be ready for deliveries in the beginning of August.
Steven Hogh, president of Moderna, acknowledged that the levels of antibodies provided by the bivalent vaccine would be lower than the sub-variants of the omicron currently circulating around the world, but said it was still superior to Spikevax for booster vaccination.
However, the company does not yet have data on the persistence of the vaccine, ie how effective it will be three and six months after vaccination.
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