Sept. 16 Quick Takes: Moderna data support COVID booster shots as Spikevax gains first full approval

Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) reported preliminary Phase IIa data Wednesday suggesting three different types of booster shots were able to increase neutralizing antibody responses to a panel of COVID variants at or beyond the levels observed one month after the initial two-dose vaccination series with the company’s authorized Spikevax elasomeran vaccine. The boosters were given six months after the primary Spikevax series, at which time the Nature study showed neutralizing responses had waned in the volunteers, especially against the beta (B.1.351) and gamma (P.1) variants. All three boosters — Spikevax; mRNA-1273.351, which is tailored to the beta variant; and mRNA-1273.211, a 1:1 mixture of the two — produced robust antibody responses against the delta variant (B.1.617.2). The preliminary findings were from 20 volunteers in each dose group.

Moderna has also announced regulatory and deal updates...