( Reuters) – Moderna Inc’s ( MRNA.O) experimental COVID-19 vaccine, the first to be tested in the United States, produced protective antibodies in a small group of healthy volunteers, according to very early information launched by the biotech company on Monday.
The information originates from eight individuals who took part in a 45- subject security trial that kicked off in March. The Moderna vaccine is among more than 100 under development planned to safeguard versus the novel coronavirus that has contaminated more than 4.7 million people internationally and killed over 317,000
In general, the study showed the vaccine was safe and all study participants produced antibodies versus the infection.
An analysis of the action in the 8 people revealed that those who got a 100 microgram dosage and people who received a 25 microgram dose had levels of protective antibodies to fend of the infection that exceeded those discovered in the blood of individuals who recuperated from COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
The news, released in a release by the U.S. biotechnology company, raised shares of Moderna by 20%. The stock later on fell 1.6%in extended trading after the business said it prepares to offer $1.25 billion in common stock to raise money for vaccine development and production.
” These are significant findings however it is a Phase 1 scientific trial that just included eight individuals. It was created for security, not for efficacy,” stated Dr. Amesh Adalja, in contagious disease expert at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security who was not involved in the research study.