Positive data from the initial phase of human clinical trials of the vaccine in the US

The American laboratory Moderna has published positive data from the initial phase of clinical trials of its vaccine against the coronavirus on a small number of volunteers.

The vaccine, called mRNA-1273, appeared to elicit an immune response in eight people who received it, equal to the response of people naturally infected with the virus, the lab said in a statement.

The full results of the phase 1 trial, the first in vaccine development, which includes 45 participants, are not known, reports Hina.

"These interim preliminary Phase 1 data show that vaccination with mRNA-1273 triggers an immune response of equal strength to that elicited by natural infection," said Tal Zaks, director of Moderna.

Three groups of patients

The clinical trial is led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the US government has invested close to half a billion dollars in the Moderna project.

Three groups of 15 patients received three doses of various vaccines, once or twice.

Phase 2, on a larger number of people, should begin soon, and Moderna states that phase 3, the last and largest one to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine, should begin in July.

Tests on mice separately showed that the vaccine prevented the virus from multiplying in the lungs.

"The Moderna laboratory team continues to work towards the fastest and safest launch of the pivotal phase 3 trial in July," Moderna announced.