Pharmaceutical companies are starting to move to neutralize the Omicron variant, of which little is known yet and which does not necessarily escape current vaccines.
But Moderna has started its tests, both with a specific vaccine (mRNA-1273.529) against the South African mutation and with booster candidates of its already used vaccine.
Against Omicron “we have three lines of defense running in parallel,” explains the company: “A booster with a higher dose of mRNA-1273, 100 mg. Then we are studying in the clinical phase two multi-valent booster candidates that anticipate mutations such as those that emerged in Omicron, the data are expected for next week. We are also moving forward with a specific booster candidate against Omicron, mRNA 1273.529, ”said CEO Stephane Bancel.
"The mutations of Omicron are worrying," he explained, "and we are moving as fast as possible to target this variant, being proactive with respect to the evolution of the virus is crucial to defeating the pandemic."
The pharmaceutical company then pointed out that the Omicron variant includes mutations already seen in the Delta believed to be responsible for greater transmissibility. And mutations discovered in the Beta and Delta variants that leave immunity uncovered.
The combination of these mutations represents a significant and potential risk of accelerating the decline in both natural and vaccine-induced immunity.
(Unioneonline / L)
