There is currently no approved shot to prevent norovirus, the most common cause of the stomach flu. The virus results in approximately 200,000 deaths per year and substantial health-care costs, according to Moderna.
The company examined two different norovirus shot candidates in a phase one trial on more than 600 patients ages 18 to 80.
An interim analysis showed that a single dose of a trivalent vaccine, called mRNA-1403, targeting three strains of norovirus triggered a strong immune response across all dose sizes. The shot also had a “clinically acceptable” safety profile.
Moderna said it is moving that shot to a phase three trial. The market for norovirus vaccines represents a $3 billion to $6 billion annual market, according to Moderna.
There are also no shots currently approved to prevent Epstein-Barr virus. It accounts for more than 90% of cases of a contagious infection known as mono, which can cause fever, sore throat, and chronic fatigue. Both the virus and mono are associated with a higher risk of certain cancers.
Moderna has been developing two shots designed to tackle multiple conditions associated with Epstein-Barr virus. That includes a shot designed to prevent mono, called mRNA-1189, which will move to a phase three study after positive early-stage trial data.
A phase one trial examined that vaccine in patients 12 to 30 years of age in the U.S. The study found that the shot caused an immune response against mono and was well tolerated across all dose sizes.
