Exhibit 99.1
Moderna Announces Positive Interim Results from Phase 1 Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Vaccine (mRNA-1647) Study
and Progress Toward Phase 2 and Pivotal Trials
Vaccination immunized seronegative participants to levels consistent with or above seropositive titers and boosted
baseline titers in seropositive participants
Vaccine was generally well-tolerated
Phase 2 study to confirm dose to be initiated in near term, with planned interim analysis through 3 months; Phase 3 study
planning is underway
CMV is the most common infectious cause of birth defects in the U.S.; there is no approved vaccine to prevent CMV
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., September 12, 2019 — Moderna, Inc., (Nasdaq: MRNA) a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines to create a new generation of transformative medicines for patients, today announced positive data from the three-month interim analysis of safety and immunogenicity of the Phase 1 study of its investigational cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine (mRNA-1647). mRNA-1647 is a wholly owned program in Moderna’s prophylactic vaccine portfolio.
Based on these data, Moderna is advancing mRNA-1647 to a dose-confirmation Phase 2 study in the near term. Preparation has also begun for a pivotal Phase 3 study designed to evaluate the efficacy of mRNA-1647 against primary CMV infection. The Phase 2 study will test the intended Phase 3 formulation, which contains the same proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) used in this Phase 1 study.
mRNA-1647 is a vaccine combining six mRNAs in a single vial, which encode for two antigens on the surface of CMV: five mRNAs encoding the subunits that form the membrane-bound pentamer complex and one mRNA encoding the full-length membrane-bound glycoprotein B (gB). Both the pentamer and gB are essential for CMV to infect barrier epithelial surfaces and gain access to the body. mRNA-1647 is designed to produce an immune response against both the pentamer and gB for the prevention of CMV infection.
“I am very encouraged by the ability of mRNA-1647 to induce high levels of durable immune responses that can reach or exceed the levels generated by natural CMV infection,” said Tal Zaks, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer at Moderna. “We recognize there is an urgent need for a preventative vaccine against congenital CMV and will be advancing mRNA-1647 into a Phase 2 study in the near term to confirm the appropriate dose, while we plan for a pivotal Phase 3 study.”
“Cytomegalovirus is the leading infectious cause of birth defects, and there is a great need for a vaccine that blocks transmission of the virus from the mother to the fetus,” said Sallie Permar, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Dean of Physician Scientist Development and Professor of Pediatrics, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at Duke Medical School. “These interim data are exciting because mRNA-1647 has shown the ability to induce immune responses in seronegative individuals that are greater than what is seen in those naturally infected with CMV, which is important in that natural immunity is not completely protective against congenital CMV transmission.”
The Phase 1 study, which has completed enrollment, is evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1647 in 169 healthy adult volunteers. The study population includes those who were naïve to CMV infection(CMV-seronegative) and those who had previously been infected by CMV(CMV-seropositive). Participants were randomized to receive either placebo, or 30, 90, 180 or 300 µg of mRNA-1647 on a dosing schedule of 0, 2 and 6 months. This first planned interim