by In an effort to combat the annual threat of influenza and its devastating impact on global health, researchers have developed a new quadrivalent mRNA vaccine that shows promise in preventing the virus. The vaccine, which encodes the hemagglutinin (HA) antigen from four seasonal influenza strains, has demonstrated high efficacy and faster production compared to traditional influenza vaccines.
Influenza is a respiratory infection that causes annual epidemics and occasional pandemics. The four subtypes of influenza that commonly infect humans are A(H1N1), B-Yamagata lineage, A(H3N2), and B-Victoria lineage. Each year, influenza results in up to 650,000 deaths worldwide.
Currently, influenza vaccines are produced using inactivated viruses obtained from embryonated hens’ eggs. However, the constantly changing nature of the virus necessitates regular updates to the vaccine formula to match the dominant circulating strain. This process requires selecting the virus strain six months in advance, creating the potential for a new variant to emerge and render the vaccine less effective.
The new mRNA-based influenza vaccine offers several advantages over conventional vaccines. The mRNA technology allows for in vitro production without the use of eggs or cell culture, reducing production time and the risk of viral mutations that may affect antigenicity. Additionally, the mRNA-based vaccines have been proven effective in the context of COVID-19, with millions of people having received mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines.
The new quadrivalent mRNA vaccine, developed by GreenLight Biosciences (GLB), incorporates HA from four seasonal influenza strains: A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2), B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B-Yamagata lineage), A/California/07/2009 (H1N1), and B/Brisbane/60/2008 (B-Victoria lineage). The vaccine was encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LPN) developed by Acuitas Therapeutics.
The researchers optimized the mRNA construction based on immunogenicity and protective efficacy. Modified mRNA vaccines induced significantly higher antibody production compared to unmodified vaccines. The new influenza vaccine also utilized pseudouridine, a component shown to enhance safety and efficacy.
In preclinical studies using mice, the quadrivalent mRNA vaccine demonstrated significant immunogenicity and protectivity. A dose of 10 μg provided complete protection against the CA09 challenge. However, antibody titers against the HK14 HA antigens were lower, suggesting that a higher vaccine dose may be necessary.
The vaccine was well-tolerated at a concentration of 120 μg, indicating that a lower dose of 40 μg per strain is sufficient for clinical use. Even at a minimal dose of 1 μg, the vaccine induced immune responses and protection against the A/California/04/2009 challenge.
While the study focused on antibody responses, further research is needed to understand the vaccine’s impact on T-cell responses and the long-term durability of antibody protection.
Overall, the development of a quadrivalent mRNA influenza vaccine offers a promising approach to combatting seasonal influenza. The faster production process, high efficacy, and potential for strain-specific updates make mRNA-based vaccines a valuable tool in preventing influenza infections and reducing the global burden of the disease.
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- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
