Title: Moderna's MRNA Technology Targets Stomach Flu: From Covid to Norovirus
Ready to say goodbye to theAgony of stomach flu, thanks to Moderna's innovative approach? They've kicked off a massive Phase III trial for a vaccine against norovirus, a common culprit of food poisoning cases worldwide.
The trial, known as Nova 301, is set to accelerate this year following its inaugural dose administered to a volunteer last September. This study captures the interest of some 25,000 volunteers aged 18 and above, who will contribute to a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial spanning two years. The wide-scale research will include participants from various nations, including the United States.
Norovirus is the leading source of foodborne illness in the U.S., resulting in approximately 20 million cases annually. While most cases are relatively harmless, with symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and flu-like symptoms lasting up to 3 days, others require medical attention. Over 2 million doctor visits and nearly half a million emergency room trips emerge yearly due to norovirus infections, with the risk of severe consequences in rare cases, including hospitalization and fatalities (about 100,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths annually). This issue becomes even more devastating in areas with weaker sanitation and health facilities.
"Norovirus poses a significant public health concern, affecting millions globally each year, leading to severe symptoms and hospitalization,” stated Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s CEO, last fall. “By pushing the investigational norovirus vaccine into a pivotal Phase 3 trial, we step closer to potentially offering a solution to prevent infection from this highly contagious virus, straining health systems worldwide."
The escalating surge of norovirus cases in the U.S. necessitates the urgency for a vaccine. Although norovirus has been around for ages, its prominence has never been higher. As the pandemic subsided, norovirus marked a notable comeback. Reports of around 500 norovirus outbreaks flooded the latter part of 2024, signifying a colossal increase compared to the previous year. This winter's norovirus season is well-positioned to become the worst experienced in over a decade.
Historically, scientists found it challenging to develop a successful norovirus vaccine due to limitations in cultivating the virus and creating lab models for research. However, breakthroughs in laboratory studies and vaccination strategies have emerged recently, potentially boosting the odds for a successful norovirus vaccine. Moderna's candidate, mRNA-1403, aims to create immunity by training the body to recognize virus-like particles closely resembling norovirus without containing any actual virus using a method similar to their covid-19 vaccines.
Enrolling over 250 study sites across the globe, Moderna expects to sign up more than 100 sites in the United States alone. Participants must meet specific criteria, including being in good health and having no recent history of gastrointestinal illness. Those interested in participating can take a survey created by Moderna here.
[1] https://www.modernatx.com/norovirus[2] https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/stats-surveillance.html[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01529-5[4] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/priority-review-vaccine-candidate-prevent-norovirus-infections-granted-fda
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The development of Moderna's norovirus vaccine, currently in Phase III trials, has the potential to significantly reduce the number of doctor visits and emergency room trips caused by this virus. In the future, advancements in science and technology could lead to a viable solution for preventing infections from this highly contagious virus, improving global health.
