A vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is needed to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. Structural studies have led to the development of mutations that stabilize Betacoronavirus spike proteins in the prefusion state, improving their expression and increasing immunogenicity. This principle has been applied to design mRNA-1273, an mRNA vaccine that encodes a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that is stabilized in the prefusion conformation. Here, we show that mRNA-1273 induces potent neutralizing antibody responses and protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lungs and noses of mice and NHP without evidence of immunopathology. We also detail the immune responses in human from the Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials. mRNA-1273 is currently in a phase III trial and has been deemed safe and effective, with a 94.1% interim phase 3 efficacy rate. To date, millions of people have been vaccinated under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization. Moving forward, we are investigating the utility of mRNA vaccine platforms as global variants arise, assessing immune corelates of protection, and establishing key evidence to estimate durability of mRNA-1273-elicited protection.

Rapid development of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.