Moderna recently announced the creation of a new vaccine, called mNexspike, representing a huge step forward in the race towards next-generation coronavirus vaccines. The new formulation provides for a lower dosage—as low as one-fifth the dose of its currently available COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax. Through this novel approach we hope to hone in on immune targets to improve vaccine effectiveness.
The company intends to provide healthcare providers and individuals with more options to protect against COVID-19, particularly for those at high risk of severe disease.
Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement that this new vaccine “represents an important step forward for this type of vaccine. He stated,
“adds an important new tool to help protect people at high risk of severe disease from COVID-19.”
The creation of mNexspike is just a small piece of a larger initiative within Moderna to develop and optimize its vaccine technology. The company previously focused on creating vaccines for various viral threats, including a potential pandemic flu vaccine targeting strains such as H5N1 bird flu. Yet funding for this flu vaccine endeavor was abruptly terminated by the Trump administration, even though early study results were looking promising.
Nonetheless, the cancellation signals some of the challenges that lie ahead in the U.S. pursuit of vaccine development. Individual decisions surrounding COVID-19 vaccines have drawn heated and polarized responses. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other former officials of the Trump administration cast doubt on the vaccines. Kennedy has repeatedly used his platform to spread anti-vaccine sentiments, fostering a culture of fear and doubt.
As Moderna continues to expand its COVID-19 vaccine offerings, its telling story is one of an innovative company that truly cares about public health. The company is taking a different approach to vaccine development. By sharpening these immune targets, they hope to design more effective vaccines down the line.
