GSK PLC has been encouraged by the initial results of a seasonal flu vaccine using mRNA technology.
Following disappointing tests for its vaccine division earlier in the week with trials of an experimental herpes treatment, the FTSE 100 pharmaceutical group said a phase II influenza vaccine has shown enough positive effects to be moved to final phase III trials.
A formulation of the mRNA vaccine demonstrated positive immune responses against influenza A and B strains in both younger and older adults compared to current treatments.
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The vaccine triggered a robust immune response in the body, leading to the production of a significant quantity of antibodies, with an “acceptable safety profile”.
GSK’s chief scientific officer, Tony Wood, said: “This marks a significant advancement in our mRNA programme and these data support moving into late-stage development. Ultimately, our goal is to develop a new best-in-class vaccine to bring greater protection to people through the influenza season.”
In July, GSK struck a €1.45 billion deal to take control of a collaboration with Germany’s CureVac to create new mRNA vaccines for influenza and COVID-19, with the pair having worked together on mRNA vaccines since 2020.
While most vaccines have either contained the whole virus or bacterium or some contain selected parts of the virus or bacterium, mRNA vaccines are different in that the mRNA instructs cells in the body to make specific proteins to fight diseases.
