World's first mRNA vaccine against influenza begins human clinical trials

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The world’s first mRNA vaccine against influenza begins human clinical trials.

The world’s first mRNA vaccine against influenza begins human clinical trials. At the end of 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two mRNA vaccines for the prevention of coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19).

In fact, before the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA vaccines were attracted by their unique advantages. A large number of pharmaceutical companies participate in research and development. T

oday, the success of mRNA vaccines in the COVID-19 field has greatly stimulated and promoted the development and expansion of mRNA technology.

The mRNA vaccine is to directly introduce the mRNA encoding a certain viral antigen protein into the animal’s somatic cells, and synthesize the corresponding antigen protein through the host cell’s translation system, thereby inducing the host to produce an immune response to the antigen protein to achieve The purpose of preventing and treating viral infections.

The world's first mRNA vaccine against influenza begins human clinical trials.

In recent years, mRNA vaccines have been developing rapidly at an alarming rate. There are not only a variety of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, but also mRNA vaccines for rabies, Zika virus and other infectious diseases, cancer, and autoimmune diseases are undergoing clinical trials. test.

As early as June 2018, Sanofi announced a cooperation with Translate Bio to use the latter’s mRNA platform technology to develop a variety of mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases.

A few days ago, Sanofi and Translate Bio announced that they have begun a phase 1 clinical trial of an mRNA vaccine against seasonal influenza.

The success of the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 has greatly promoted the development of mRNA vaccine technology and has also aroused people’s interest in using this method to prevent seasonal influenza. Moderna opened the pipeline of three influenza mRNA vaccine research and development in January this year, and formulated a plan to enter the clinic this year. Pfizer has also expressed interest in influenza mRNA vaccines, and CureVac has also begun the research and development of influenza mRNA vaccines with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Sanofi and Translate Bio took the lead in bringing influenza mRNA to the clinic and became the first influenza mRNA vaccine to enter clinical trials. It also means that they are ahead of several mRNA vaccine giants in the field of influenza mRNA vaccines.

It is reported that the clinical trial will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of two mRNA influenza vaccine preparations in multiple doses. The vaccine is designed to prevent severe seasonal influenza caused by the A/H3N2 influenza virus.

Ronald Renaud, CEO of Translate Bio, said that mRNA vaccines have many advantages in preventing seasonal influenza. The current large-scale COVID-19 mRNA application has confirmed the powerful ability and high safety of mRNA. A specific immune response is achieved within a time window, and mRNA is suitable for large-scale rapid production and deployment.

In addition, influenza viruses mutate quickly, which can easily lead to reduced effects of traditional vaccines, while mRNA vaccines can iterate more quickly to solve this problem.

Translate Bio was established in 2011 and is located in Massachusetts, USA. It is dedicated to the development of mRNA drugs for the treatment of diseases caused by protein or gene dysfunction, as well as mRNA-based vaccines. The company is listed on the Nasdaq, and its current market value is close to $1.6 billion. Affected by the entry of influenza mRNA vaccines into the clinic, the company’s stock price has soared by more than 10% today.

The world's first mRNA vaccine against influenza begins human clinical trials.

At present, Translate Bio’s R&D pipeline is divided into two categories, one is mRNA-based gene therapy, the other is mRNA-based vaccine, the former is self-developed, and the latter is developed in cooperation with Sanofi.

MRNA-based gene therapy, including cystic fibrosis (CF), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), pulmonary hypertension (PAH), and an unpublished liver disease. Among them, MRT5005, a therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF), has made the most rapid progress, and phase 1 and 2 clinical trials have been carried out.

MRNA-based vaccines include the COVID-19 vaccine, influenza vaccine, and two vaccines for bacterial pathogens and viral pathogens. Among them, the mRNA for the COVID-19 has begun clinical trials, and the mRNA for influenza has just started clinical trials.

The world's first mRNA vaccine against influenza begins human clinical trials.