sa-mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Study Demonstrates Longer Protection Against Virus Compared to Other Vaccine Types

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CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics announced the results of a study investigating the impact of a self-amplifying RNA (sa-mRNA) Covid-19 vaccine.¹ According to a press release, the results showed that the sa-mRNA vaccine performed better than a standard mRNA vaccine in regards to providing maintained protection against the virus.

In a press release, CSL’s senior vice president of its vaccine innovation unit Jonathan Edelman, MD, said, “The 12-month results from the ARCT-154 study continue to establish the durability of immune response from this self-amplifying mRNA vaccine and reinforce the ability of this vaccine to provide protection against COVID-19 at lower doses compared to conventional mRNA vaccines. We are proud to showcase at the 2024 OPTIONS conference with these important data about the first sa-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine now approved in Japan."

In the same press release, Igor Smolenov, MD, PhD, chief development officer at Arcturus Therapeutics, added, “The recent surge in COVID-19 infections and the emerging new variants illustrate the critical need for vaccines that provide a longer duration of protection compared to conventional mRNA vaccines. These compelling new studies reaffirm that these sa-mRNA vaccines have the potential to offer potent protection against COVID-19."

Earlier in September, CSL announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health approved the sa-mRNA vaccine to be used against the JN.1 strain that is active in the country.² In a press release, CSL’s senior vice president and head of global regulatory affairs Emmanuelle Lecomte-Brisset said, “We are pleased to receive the updated approval from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and remain on track to distribute KOSTAIVE® in time for the October COVID-19 vaccination campaign. We look forward to introducing KOSTAIVE® in Japan as a safe, tolerable and more durable option in protecting against COVID-19."

In the same press release, Edelman also said, “We believe KOSTAIVE® has the potential to change the paradigm for COVID-19 vaccines in Japan. Today's approval further demonstrates CSL's promise to pursue, develop and deliver new innovative treatment options to protect public health."

Arcturus Therapeutics’ CEO Joseph Payne added, “We are pleased that our sa-mRNA technology will be available to vaccinate people in Japan against COVID-19, which remains an ongoing risk to public health around the world. We look forward to continuing to work with CSL and regulators to explore the development of KOSTAIVE® in additional countries."

This news followed a statement from CSL in May of this year confirming that the results of a study on the sa-mRNA vaccine that also showed an increased level of protection over a longer period of time compared to mRNA vaccines.³

In a press release issued at the time, Edelman said, “The results published in Nature Communications demonstrate the efficacy and tolerability of ARCT-154 and add to a growing body of evidence that our sa-mRNA vaccine has the potential to provide significant protection against the pervasive virus, reinforcing our promise to protect public health.”

Arcturus Therapeutics’ chief scientific officer Pad Chivukula, PhD, added, “We are thrilled that the results of the ARCT-154 study have been published in the highly respected journal Nature Communications. These data and the approval in Japan highlight the strength of our and CSL's commitment to delivering innovative technology that protects the public from COVID-19."

Sources

1. Self-Amplifying mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Demonstrates Superior Immune Response Compared with mRNA Vaccine at 12 Months Post-Vaccination. CSL. September 30, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/self-amplifying-mrna-covid-19-vaccine-demonstrates-superior-immune-response-compared-with-mrna-vaccine-at-12-months-post-vaccination-302262465.html
2. Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Approves CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics' Updated Self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine for Protection against JN.1 Strain, to be Distributed in Japan by Meiji Seika Pharma. CSL. September 13. 2024. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/japans-ministry-of-health-labor-and-welfare-approves-csl-and-arcturus-therapeutics-updated-self-amplifying-mrna-covid-19-vaccine-for-protection-against-jn1-strain-to-be-distributed-in-japan-by-meiji-seika-pharma-302247674.html
3. Nature Communications Publishes Pivotal Data Demonstrating Efficacy and Tolerability of CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics' COVID-19 Vaccine. CSL. May 20, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nature-communications-publishes-pivotal-data-demonstrating-efficacy-and-tolerability-of-csl-and-arcturus-therapeutics-covid-19-vaccine-302149979.html