CureVac signals progress on mRNA flu vaccine

CureVac NV (CVAC) said Tuesday that it has selected an mRNA flu vaccine candidate for continued clinical development, based on positive results from an early-stage study conducted in collaboration with GSK PLC (GSK.LN). The investigational vaccine provides broad antigen coverage against flu strains recommended by the World Health Organization and will advance to a phase 2 study, with dosing of the first study participant expected in the fourth quarter of this year, the company said in a release. The mRNA technology platform's speed and flexibility "offers tremendous potential to overcome the current challenges associated with providing seasonally updated and highly effective influenza vaccines," Dr. Myriam Mendila, CureVac's chief development officer, said in a statement. CureVac shares gained 1.5% premarket on Tuesday and are up more than 40% in the year to date, while the S&P 500 has gained 16.9%.

-Eleanor Laise

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

09-12-23 0805ET

Copyright (c) 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.