DelRicht Research is proud to spotlight the work of Dr. Patrick Dennis of Touro Medical Center in New Orleans, LA, who continues to advance public health through his contributions to critical vaccine research. Most recently, Dr. Dennis participated as a contributing investigator in two major clinical trials evaluating the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of mRNA-1283, a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine. These studies were accepted for presentation at IDWeek 2024, including a Late-Breaker Abstract submission featuring new interim data from the ongoing Phase 3 trial.

Streamlined Innovation: A Targeted, Lower-Dose mRNA Vaccine

mRNA-1283.222, the investigational vaccine under evaluation, is engineered to direct the immune system’s attention to specific viral targets—the receptor-binding and N-terminal domains of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Compared to the existing mRNA-1273.222 formulation, mRNA-1283.222 delivers a reduced dosage (10 μg vs. 50 μg) without compromising protection. Its streamlined design not only supports enhanced thermostability and simpler distribution but may also enable broader global access to vaccination in underserved communities.

Strong Results in Efficacy and Immune Response

The Phase 3 trial included over 11,000 participants aged 12 and older who had previously received a COVID-19 vaccine. Participants were randomized to receive either mRNA-1283.222 or mRNA-1273.222. One of the study’s primary goals was to demonstrate noninferior relative vaccine efficacy (rVE) between the two formulations—and mRNA-1283.222 met that bar, with a positive rVE point estimate of 9.31%. The benefit was most pronounced in adults aged 65 and older, a group that continues to face the highest risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Immune response results were similarly encouraging. By Day 29, geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of neutralizing antibodies against Omicron BA.4/BA.5 were significantly higher in the mRNA-1283.222 group (2346.2 vs. 1753.8), with consistent trends across all age groups.

Favorable Safety and Tolerability

Both vaccine formulations were well tolerated, with no new safety concerns reported. Local reactions, such as injection site pain, were slightly less common in the mRNA-1283.222 group, and systemic reactions like fatigue and headache occurred at comparable rates between groups. Serious adverse events were rare in both arms of the study.

Dr. Patrick Dennis and Shaping the Future of Infectious Disease Prevention

The interim safety and efficacy findings submitted to IDWeek 2024 further validate the potential of mRNA-1283 to serve as a next-generation solution in ongoing COVID-19 prevention efforts. Dr. Dennis’s role in these pivotal trials exemplifies DelRicht Research’s ongoing commitment to supporting innovative, high-impact clinical research that improves patient access and outcomes.

To learn more about the upcoming IDWeek 2024 presentations, visit IDWeek.org.

DelRicht Research proudly supports investigators like Dr. Patrick Dennis and the Touro Medical Center team in delivering research that strengthens vaccine science and advances care when it matters most.