Moderna, a Biotechnology company announced that preliminary data shows the authorized booster shot of the company’s COVID-19 vaccine is effective at increasing antibody levels against the omicron variant.
In a statement posted early Monday morning, the company said its authorized 50 µg booster dose increased “neutralizing antibody levels against omicron approximately 37-fold compared to pre-boost levels.”
Moderna also studied a 100 µg booster dose. The company said that dose caused an 83-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies.
“The dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant is concerning to all. However, these data showing that the currently authorized Moderna COVID-19 booster can boost neutralizing antibody levels 37-fold higher than pre-boost levels are reassuring,” Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna said in a release.
“To respond to this highly transmissible variant, Moderna will continue to rapidly advance an Omicron-specific booster candidate into clinical testing in case it becomes necessary in the future, Bancel added. “We will also continue to generate and share data across our booster strategies with public health authorities to help them make evidence-based decisions on the best vaccination strategies against SARS-CoV-2.”
Moderna’s statement said the data reported Monday is based on 20 recipients of each size booster dose.
“The Company will continue to assess the breadth and durability of neutralizing antibodies from the multivalent booster candidates in the months ahead.”
Meanwhile, Moderna officials also said they will continue to develop booster dose specifically to battle the omicron variant.
Moderna said it expects the omicron-specific booster to advance to clinical trials in early 2022.
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