Moderna doses first patients in Phase 2/3 study of COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents
Moderna Inc. MRNA, +2.24% said Thursday it has dosed the first participants in a Phase 2/3 study of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate in adolescents aged 12 to less than 18. The study is being conducted in collaboration with Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The biotech is aiming to generate data in the spring of 2021 that will support the use of the vaccine in that age group, Chief Executive Stéphane Bancel said in a statement. The trial will be randomized and include a control group and the company is aiming to enroll 3,000 participants in the U.S. who will be monitored for 12 months after the second dose. Shares rose 1.5% in premarket trade, but have gained 701% in the year to date, while the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF XBI, +0.04% has gained 44% and the S&P 500 SPX, -0.26% has gained 13.7%.