Key Takeaways
- ARCT-154 showed superior immunogenicity over Comirnaty® for up to 12 months post-COVID-19 vaccination.
- The sa-mRNA vaccine achieved this at one-sixth the dose of the conventional mRNA vaccine.
- The bivalent sa-mRNA vaccine, ARCT-2301, demonstrated improved immune response over Comirnaty® Original/BA.4-5 up to six months post-vaccination.
- These findings highlight the potential of sa-mRNA vaccines to offer longer-lasting protection against emerging COVID-19 variants.
Within the bustling corridors of the OPTIONS XII conference, CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics unveiled compelling data that could reshape the landscape of COVID-19 vaccination. Their self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) vaccine demonstrated a sustained and superior immune response compared to the conventional mRNA vaccine, Comirnaty®. This groundbreaking revelation comes at a critical time as new COVID-19 variants continue to emerge, highlighting the urgent need for vaccines offering extended protection.
CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics presented data from a head-to-head study comparing their sa-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, ARCT-154, with Comirnaty®. Conducted in Japan, the study revealed that ARCT-154 maintained superior immunogenicity for up to 12 months post-vaccination against multiple SARS-CoV-2 strains, including Wuhan-Hu-1 and Omicron BA.4-5. Remarkably, this enhanced immune response was achieved with just one-sixth the dose of the conventional mRNA vaccine (5 μg vs. 30 μg).
ARCT-154 and ARCT-2301 Show Superior Immunogenicity Compared to Comirnaty® in Phase 3 Trials
The Phase 3 trial involved 828 adults who had previously received three doses of mRNA vaccines. Participants were randomized to receive a booster dose of either ARCT-154 or Comirnaty®. The results showed significantly higher neutralizing antibodies in the ARCT-154 group across all time points. At Day 361, ARCT-154 recipients exhibited a geometric mean titer (GMT) of 3396, compared to 1771 in the Comirnaty® group, a GMT ratio of 1.92.
In another study, the bivalent sa-mRNA vaccine ARCT-2301 also showed superior immunogenicity over Comirnaty® Original/BA.4-5. Conducted in Japan, this trial included 930 adults who received a booster dose of either ARCT-2301 or Comirnaty®. On Day 29, ARCT-2301 induced higher neutralizing antibody responses against Omicron BA.4-5 and Wuhan-Hu-1, and these elevated responses persisted for six months. The GMT ratio for Omicron BA.4-5 was 2.17, and for Wuhan-Hu-1, it was 1.98.
COVID-19 Vaccination: sa-mRNA Technology Paves the Way for Long-Term Immunity and Global Implementation
The innovative sa-mRNA technology by CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics offers a promising avenue for enhancing long-term immunity against COVID-19. Unlike standard mRNA vaccines, sa-mRNA vaccines amplify the production of mRNA and proteins, thereby boosting the immune response more effectively. The latest data underscores the potential for these vaccines to provide robust and sustained protection, which is crucial as new variants continue to challenge global health efforts.
With the approval of ARCT-154 in Japan, the focus now shifts to broader regulatory acceptance and implementation of these advanced vaccines to combat the ongoing pandemic efficiently. The progress in sa-mRNA technology could be a pivotal development in the ongoing fight against COVID-19, providing a blueprint for future vaccine innovations.
Resource: CSL, September 30, 2024
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