Moderna Launches Phase 3 COVID-19 Vaccine Trial

Moderna has launched a much-anticipated phase 3 clinical trial of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate mRNA-1273 in collaboration with the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and HHS’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

The trial will determine if mRNA-1273 can prevent symptomatic COVID-19 after two doses. It will enroll 30,000 participants who will either receive two 100 mcg injections of the vaccine or a placebo.

BARDA has also expanded its existing $483 million contract with Moderna to support the study. The $472 million expansion brings the total value of the contract to $955 million.