CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I September 30, 2024 I Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) today announced that the first participant in the U.S. has been dosed in the Nova 301 Trial, a pivotal Phase 3 randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of an investigational norovirus vaccine, mRNA-1403. Global recruitment for the Nova 301 trial has also begun.

“Norovirus is a significant public health concern that affects millions of people worldwide each year, leading to severe symptoms and, in some cases, hospitalization,” said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna. “By advancing our investigational norovirus vaccine into a pivotal Phase 3 trial, we are one step closer to potentially providing a new tool to prevent infection from this highly contagious virus, which places a significant burden on health systems globally.”

The Nova 301 Phase 3 trial is a randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1403. The trial aims to enroll approximately 25,000 participants 18 years of age and older globally, including in countries in the Northern Hemisphere (U.S., Canada, UK, Japan), the equatorial region, and the Southern Hemisphere (Australia and countries in South America). Approximately 20,000 participants 60 years of age and older and 5,000 participants between 18 and 59 years of age will be enrolled to assess the investigational vaccine’s ability to protect against moderate to severe norovirus acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in adults, with a focus on the older age group that is at greatest risk of severe outcomes including hospitalization.

Enteric viruses, including norovirus, are a leading cause of diarrheal diseases, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly among young children and older adults. Norovirus is highly contagious and a leading cause of diarrheal disease globally, associated with 18% of all AGE,1 resulting in approximately 200,000 deaths per year and substantial healthcare costs.2

mRNA-1403 is an mRNA vaccine in development to prevent moderate to severe acute gastroenteritis caused by norovirus. The vaccine candidate is a trivalent formulation containing mRNA that encodes for virus-like particles (VLPs) designed to protect against multiple norovirus genotypes.

About Moderna

Moderna is a leader in the creation of the field of mRNA medicine. Through the advancement of mRNA technology, Moderna is reimagining how medicines are made and transforming how we treat and prevent disease for everyone. By working at the intersection of science, technology and health for more than a decade, the company has developed medicines at unprecedented speed and efficiency, including one of the earliest and most effective COVID-19 vaccines.

Moderna’s mRNA platform has enabled the development of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases and autoimmune diseases. With a unique culture and a global team driven by the Moderna values and mindsets to responsibly change the future of human health, Moderna strives to deliver the greatest possible impact to people through mRNA medicines. For more information about Moderna, please visit modernatx.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

1 Ahmed, S.M., et al., Global prevalence of norovirus in cases of gastroenteritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis, 2014
2 https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/diseases/norovirus

SOURCE: Moderna