Moderna mRNA therapy passes safety test

Abstract

Moderna has published its first peer-reviewed study testing the safety of its messenger RNA molecules for therapeutic-protein production in humans. The small, Phase I trial, conducted in collaboration with AstraZeneca, showed that an experimental mRNA therapy called AZD8601 led to localized and temporary production of a therapeutic protein without severe side effects after it was injected into the skin of 33 men (Nat. Commun. 2019, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08852-4). Moderna has raised more than $2.6 billion in private funds to create its mRNA platform and fill its pipeline with 21 experimental therapies. In December, the company raised some $600 million more in its initial public offering—the largest debut for a biotech company in Wall Street history—and today has a stock market value of close to $7 billion. Moderna previously published studies testing its mRNA vaccines in humans. The new paper demonstrates that naked mRNA injected into human skin can produce a therapeutic