NIH Launches mRNA Nipah Virus Vaccine Trial With Moderna

The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced the launch of its Nipah virus mRNA vaccine trial, the mRNA -1215 vaccine was developed in collaboration with Massachusetts’ Moderna. As a result of the company’s global public health strategy, this vaccine is one of its 15 vaccine programs targeting priority pathogens announced this March.

Nipah virus (NiV) is from the Paramyxoviridae family, genus Henipavirus, with fruit bats as the animal host reservoir for this zoonotic virus, fruit bats are also known as flying foxes. An estimated 75% of people infected with the Nipah virus die. Even if most cases are transmitted via animals, person-to-person transmission can occur and there are no approved vaccines or treatments for Nipah virus infection.

“Despite the rapid development timelines of our COVID-19 vaccine, and substantial efforts undertaken to scale up our manufacturing, the human toll of COVID-19 has been devastating and we must not assume that the COVID-19 pandemic will be the last pandemic that will impact global health. We are dedicated to pursuing innovative vaccine solutions to address infectious diseases that pose the greatest risk to public health through collaborative research and development,” said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna.

Related article: Learning From the COVID-19 Pandemic With Moderna CEO, Stéphane Bancel 

First Clinical Trial Using NIAID’s Prototype Pathogen Approach

Since the publication of the institutes’ Pandemic Preparedness Plan that focuses on viruses that could cause epidemics or pandemics, this mRNA Nipah virus vaccine is the first study to adopt the “prototype pathogen approach” highlighted in the plan. 

The mRNA -1215 is based on the same mRNA platform used in multiple approved COVID-19 vaccines. NIAID is sponsoring the Phase 1 clinical study, which is in progress at a NIH Clinical Center in Maryland.

Nipah virus mutates relatively easily, transmits from person to person, and causes high mortality rates, making it a considerable pandemic threat. The virus can cause mild-to-severe disease rapidly from respiratory infection symptoms to encephalitis (brain swelling), then coma or death, making the need for a preventive Nipah virus vaccine significant.

Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) are calling for readiness against priority pathogens that pose a threat to public health. Moderna, with its tried and tested mRNA technology, is working on vaccines for pandemic influenza, chikungunya, malaria, and Zika.

Author

Fujie Tham