Express mRNA vaccine opens up new battlefield again to challenge latent virus

▎WuXi AppTec's content team's editing mRNA technology has achieved great success in the development of new crown vaccines, which has also inspired the application of mRNA technology in the development of other infectious disease vaccines
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Today, BioNTech/Pfizer, and Moderna respectively announced new progress in the development of infectious disease vaccines
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Pfizer and BioNTech Renew Collaboration to Develop mRNA Shingles
Vaccine
The press release states that it could be the first mRNA vaccine to prevent shingles
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This is the third collaboration between Pfizer and BioNTech in the field of infectious diseases.
Previously, the two parties launched a joint development of influenza vaccine in 2018 and a joint development of a new crown vaccine in 2020
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Shingles is a chronic infection of the varicella-zoster virus.
After the initial symptoms of chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body's nerve cells and can be reactivated by stress or a weakened immune system
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This viral flare-up can cause very painful skin symptoms
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Under the agreement, the parties will utilize the unique antigen technology discovered by Pfizer scientists and BioNTech's mRNA technology platform
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Clinical trials are expected to begin in the second half of 2022
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BioNTech will receive an upfront payment of $75 million and an equity investment of $150 million, and is eligible to receive up to $200 million in regulatory and commercialization milestone payments
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BioNTech will pay Pfizer $25 million for its proprietary antigen technology
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"Pfizer and BioNTech have jointly developed the world's first mRNA vaccine, providing a well-tolerated and effective tool in the fight against COVID-19," said Mikael Dolsten, Ph.
D.
, chief scientific officer at Pfizer
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"This agreement allows us to continue to advance mRNA technology together.
To overcome another health challenge
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” Moderna Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine Enters the Clinic Moderna announced that it has completed the first patient in a Phase 1 clinical trial of the company’s Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) vaccine candidate, mRNA-1189 Dosing
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EBV is a common viral infection that is spread through bodily fluids, usually in early childhood or during adolescence
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Although EBV infection in early childhood is usually asymptomatic, the first infection in adolescence may result in infectious mononucleosis, with clinical symptoms including fever, fatigue, sore throat, and lymphadenopathy
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After infection, EBV remains in the body for life, it may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis by a factor of 4-10, and it is associated with certain cancers and autoimmune diseases
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Moderna's vaccine candidate, mRNA-1189, is designed to prevent EBV-challenged infectious mononucleosis and potentially prevent EBV infection
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It contains four mRNAs encoding different EBV capsid glycoproteins
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Currently, there is no approved EBV vaccine or vaccine to prevent infectious mononucleosis
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The Phase 1 clinical trial is expected to enroll approximately 270 adult volunteers aged 18-30 and will primarily assess the safety and tolerability of mRNA-1189
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"EBV is the most common viral infection in the world, and there is currently no vaccine to prevent it ," said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna
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"The initiation of this Phase 1 clinical trial is an important part of our drive to develop an mRNA vaccine against the latent virus.

Milestones
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" Reference: [1] Pfizer and BioNTech Sign New Global Collaboration Agreement to Develop First mRNA-based Shingles Vaccine.
Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://investors.
biontech.
de/news-releases/news-release -details/pfizer-and-biontech-sign-new-global-collaboration-agreement[2] MODERNA ANNOUNCES FIRST PARTICIPANT DOSED IN PHASE 1 STUDY OF ITS MRNA EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (EBV) VACCINE.
Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https ://investors.
modernatx.
com/news/news-details/2022/Moderna-Announces-First-Participant-Dosed-in-Phase-1-Study-of-its-mRNA-Epstein-Barr-Virus-EBV-Vaccine /default.
aspx Disclaimer: The WuXi AppTec content team focuses on introducing global biomedical health research progress
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This article is for information exchange purposes only.
The views expressed in this article do not represent WuXi AppTec's position, nor do they represent WuXi AppTec's support or opposition to the views expressed in the article.

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This article is also not a treatment plan recommendation
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For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital
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