Just as the COVID-19 immunization campaigns in Europe and North America began in late December, reports began detailing the alarming new coronavirus mutations that had emerged worldwide. UK pressure (B.1.1.7) prompted a sharp rise in the country, reaching its highest level in the first weeks of January. But standard vaccines are still effective against the UK variant. Another strain (B.1.351) was also prevalent in regions of South Africa, and subsequent research showed that it could escape neutralization of antibodies, threatening to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. The Brazilian version (P.1) also turned out to have similar “powers,” with health officials concerned that the mutant could rehabilitate survivors and reduce vaccine effectiveness.
A growing number of studies have shown that conventional vaccines provide protection against circulating rays, in particular the B.1.1.7 strain that is rapidly spreading to other countries. However, both B.1.351 and P.1 antibodies could be avoided. Vaccine manufacturers, including Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna, have released their own research showing the effectiveness of continuous vaccination against mutants. But they also said they are working on vaccine versions that have been modified for the mutations. Moderna announced a new vaccine test Thursday for two different versions of the mRNA vaccine created to neutralize the B.1.351 strain.
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The B.1.351 and P.1. Rays show a number of mutations, including genetic changes that affect the spike proteins of the coronavirus. That’s the part that vaccines aim for, teaching the immune system to develop antibodies that prevent the spike protein from entering cells. Moderna said in its news that its original vaccine contained neutral antibodies against all major variants tested, including the UK and South African strains. But Moderna “saw a 6-fold decrease in neutralization of titers against B.1.351. ”
Moderna has three vaccination strategies to increase vaccine efficacy against mutation. One involves providing an elevated view of mRNA-1273 to see if it can increase protection against mutations.
But Moderna has also developed two additional vaccines aimed at B.1.351 “out of sufficient warning.” These vaccines are part of a Phase 2 study in which 60 participants who have already been vaccinated with two doses of the standard drug mRNA-1273. The Phase 2 study will be a modification of the ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial.
One-third of volunteers will receive 20 µg of candidate mRNA-1273.351 aimed at South African weightlifters. One-third of the volunteers are encapsulated with 50 µg of mRNA-1273.351. The last 20 50g of candidate will receive a heterogeneous increase. The mRNA-1273.211 variant combines the original mRNA-1273 drug with the mRNA-1273.351 in a single vaccine. The latter is “designed to achieve a broad immune response as both a primary series and when administered as a stimulant to those who have previously received mRNA-1273,” the company said.
Moderna also said that the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) would conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial to study both the monovalent and multivalent versions of mRNA-1273 vaccines. The drugs will be tested as a mainstay in unvaccinated people and increased seizures in volunteers who have already been vaccinated with the original drug. NIAID research awaits FDA approval before enrolling volunteers.
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Chris Smith began writing about gadgets as a hobby, and before he knew it he was sharing his thoughts on tech stuff with readers around the world. When he’s not writing about tools he desperately fails to get away from them, even though he’s trying hard. But that is not necessarily a bad thing.