Three mRNA Vaccine Candidates Announced

Massachusetts-based Moderna, Inc. today announced that it is expanding its mRNA pipeline with three new development programs.

"We are pleased to announce these new development programs, which reflect the continued productivity of our platform and the potential of our mRNA technology to impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people," said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, in a press release issued on February 18, 2022.

These mRNA vaccine candidates are as follows:

Moderna's herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccine candidate (mRNA-1608) is targeted against HSV-2 disease. Moderna expects that an HSV-2 vaccine could provide cross-protection against HSV-1. In addition, Moderna expects that an HSV vaccine could deliver similar efficacy as suppressive antiviral treatment and likely improve compliance and quality of life.

Moderna's varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine candidate (mRNA-1468) is designed to express VZV glycoprotein E (gE) to reduce the rate of shingles (herpes zoster). Moderna has published preclinical data on an mRNA vaccine encoding the VZV gE antigen.

Moderna's new checkpoint cancer vaccine candidate (mRNA-4359) expresses Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and programmed death-ligand 1 antigens. Moderna designed mRNA-4359 to stimulate effector T-cells that target and kill suppressive immune and tumor cells that express target antigens. Moderna plans to explore initial indications for advanced or metastatic cutaneous melanoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Moderna's mRNA platform builds on continuous advances in basic and applied mRNA science, delivery technology, and manufacturing. It has allowed the development of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and auto-immune diseases.

To learn more, visit www.modernatx.com.