Benzinga | Mar 16, 2021 01:17AM EDT

Moderna Begins Testing Next-Gen COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate: What You Need To Know

Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA) said Monday that it had commenced testing the next generation of its COVID-19 vaccine.

What Happened: The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company said it had dosed the first volunteers with its vaccine candidate dubbed mRNA-1283.

"Our investments in our mRNA platform have enabled us to develop this next generation vaccine candidate, which is a potential refrigerator-stable vaccine that could facilitate easier distribution and administration in a wider range of settings, including potentially for developing countries," said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel.

Bancel said Moderna remained "committed to helping address this ongoing public health emergency."

The Phase 1 study will evaluate three dose levels -- 10 ?g, 30 ?g, and 100 ?g of the candidate vaccine given to healthy adults in two doses, 28 days apart. Apart from that, a single 100 ?g dose will also be studied.

The dosages will be compared with a 2-dose series of 100 ?g of mRNA-1273, the vaccine dose level currently authorized.

Why It Matters: Moderna said that mRNA-1283 will be evaluated in future studies as a booster dose for previously vaccinated or seropositive as well as in a primary series for seronegative individuals.

Moderna's m-RNA-1273 and Pfizer Inc's (NYSE:PFE) BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccines received emergency authorization in December last year from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

See Also: Moderna To Collaborate With IBM On COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution -- Utilizing Blockchain Tech

However, both these vaccines require cold-chain logistics to maintain efficacy, whereas another approved for emergency use single-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) can remain stable for three months at 2-8 degrees Celsius.

Price Action: Moderna shares closed nearly 4.9% higher at $143.66 on Monday and fell 0.63% in the after-hours session.

For news coverage in Italian or Spanish, check out Benzinga Italia and Benzinga Espa?a.