Moderna’s Revised COVID-19 Vaccine Demonstrates ‘Promising Increase’ in Antibodies Against ‘Eris’ Variant

Preliminary clinical trial data from Moderna reveals that their updated COVID-19 vaccine, scheduled for release in the fall, has significantly increased the production of antibodies against the EG.5 omicron subvariant, also known as the Eris strain.

In their application for authorization from the FDA earlier this year, Moderna emphasized that their vaccine contains spike proteins targeting the XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant, which was prevalent in the U.S. at the time. However, the Eris subvariant has now become the majority, making up 17.3% of cases, and is closely related to XBB.1.5.

Moderna’s statement on Monday confirmed that their updated COVID-19 vaccine generates robust neutralizing antibodies against the EG.5 and FL.1.5.1 variants, based on preliminary clinical trial data. The company believes that the updated vaccine will effectively target the circulating variants during the upcoming vaccination season.

Due to limited genomic data on COVID-19 variants, it is unclear which variants dominate in the U.S. Only three out of the ten monitored regions provide such data. In the Northeast region, the FL.1.5.1 omicron subvariant surpasses Eris and accounts for one-fifth of estimated cases.

In June, an FDA panel unanimously recommended that the next round of vaccinations in the U.S. should only target XBB variants, in line with the WHO’s guidance, considering their global dominance.

Moderna’s updated vaccine, initially authorized for XBB.1.5, remains effective due to the expected close relation between the dominant strain at the time and XBB.1.5. The WHO has recently designated Eris as a “variant of interest” after monitoring it as a potential variant with growth advantages. While Eris has genetic changes affecting its viral capabilities, there is currently no cause for alarm in terms of disease severity.

According to the WHO, Eris shares the same spike amino acid profile as XBB.1.5, the target of mRNA vaccines like Moderna’s.

In a risk evaluation published this month, the WHO categorized EG.5 as a low global-level public health risk, on par with XBB.1.16 and other currently circulating variants of interest (VOIs). Although EG.5 has shown increased prevalence, growth advantages, and immune escape properties, there have been no reported changes in disease severity thus far.

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