Key Points:
Moderna's mRNA-1010 flu vaccine was 26.6% more effective overall and 27.4% more effective in individuals aged 65+ versus a licensed comparator vaccine.
Regulatory submissions are on the horizon and plans for an influenza-COVID combination vaccine are underway, enabled by this strong efficacy data.
Key Background :
Moderna's disclosure represents a pivotal moment in the annals of seasonal flu vaccines. The traditional flu shot, formulated from inactivated or attenuated virus strains, has subpar efficacy, especially among the elderly. Contrastingly, Moderna's mRNA-1010 relies on genetic codes to stimulate precise immune responses, promising a quantum jump in efficacy.
The phase 3 late-stage trial included over 40,800 adults aged 50 and older. The results showed mRNA-1010 having a significant reduction in confirmed influenza-like illness incidence compared with an approved vaccine. Interestingly, the vaccine maintained its efficacy lead in the 65-and-older category, the age group historically less receptive to standard flu vaccines. This accomplishment is a strong support of mRNA technology in seasonal vaccination.
Earlier studies had already demonstrated mRNA-1010 induced stronger immune responses against all four flu strains that currently spread and are proposed by the World Health Organization. These include two types of Influenza A and two of Influenza B. The current trial confirms those immunological advantages translate into clinical value in real life, lending further strength to the vaccine's profile.
The effectiveness of mRNA-1010 is also of strategic interest to Moderna. The company had earlier withdrawn its first filing for a single-dose flu-COVID-19 vaccine, holding out for clearer news on the flu component. With robust data from mRNA-1010 now available, Moderna will likely restart talks with regulators and press on with development of the dual-vaccine candidate, which would bring seasonal vaccination within reach and boost take-up.
Moderna's new tailwind just so happens to be well timed. After its initial boom from its COVID-19 vaccine, the company has seen revenue constraints from waning demand as well as lower take rates of newer items like the RSV vaccine. The flu vaccine market, however, remains still gigantic and predictable, offering tremendous potential for long-term growth.
The strong performance of Moderna's mRNA-1010 in this latest study places Moderna in an even more competitive place to take on the global flu vaccine market even more aggressively. It also further establishes greater confidence in mRNA technology's versatility—moving its use beyond pandemic emergency preparedness to manufacturing for routine public health purposes. With this news, Moderna not only further locks in its pipeline of products, but also justifies its overall long-term strategy of shaking up norms for vaccines.