Researchers Working On Universal mRNA-Influenza Vaccine Aiming For Baseline Immune Memory For Diverse Strains

Vandana Singh
·1 min read
35

  • Researchers are working on an experimental pan-influenza vaccine based on the famed mRNA technology to provide broad protection.

  • The two-dose vaccine employs the same messenger RNA (mRNA) technology used in the COVID-19 shots developed by Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) & BioNTech SE (NASDAQ: BNTX), and Moderna Inc (NASDAQ: MRNA).

  • Initial animal studies show that the experimental vaccine provided broader protection against all 20 known influenza A and B virus subtypes.

  • Antibody levels induced by the vaccine remained unchanged for at least four months, according to a report published in the journal Science.

  • According to a published U.S. study, the results potentially open a pathway to a universal flu shot that might help prevent future pandemics.

  • It delivers tiny lipid particles containing mRNA instructions for cells to create replicas of so-called hemagglutinin proteins that appear on influenza virus surfaces, Reuters reported.

  • Moderna and Pfizer have mRNA flu vaccines in late-stage human trials, and GSK Plc (NYSE: GSK) and CureVac NV (NASDAQ: CVAC) are testing an mRNA flu vaccine in an early-stage safety trial in humans.

  • Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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