Moderna’s next-generation COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1283 was more effective in adults than its current jab Spikevax, building on positive immunogenicity data released in March. CEO Stéphane Bancel said the latest Phase III results show that the company’s “platform is consistently demonstrating its ability to address significant unmet needs."Earlier this week, Moderna announced that its combination vaccine against influenza and COVID-19 had met the primary endpoints of a late-stage study as well. The shot, dubbed mRNA-1083, combines mRNA-1283 with the company’s vaccine candidate for seasonal flu mRNA-1010.The study reported Thursday, called NextCOVE, enrolled approximately 11,400 participants aged 12 and older, with half administered a single dose of mRNA-1283 and the other half immunised with Spikevax. Earlier data showed that mRNA-1283 induced a stronger immune response against the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants and the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, particularly in adults over 65, compared to Spikevax.Moderna now says the trial met its primary efficacy endpoint, demonstrating non-inferior vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 compared to Spikevax. Meanwhile, it noted that higher efficacy versus Spikevax was observed in adults 18 years of age and older, with a "consistent trend" seen in the subset of people aged 65 and older. The company added that in the trial, mRNA-1283 was found to have a similar safety profile to Spikevax, with the most commonly solicited side effects being injection site pain, fatigue, headache and myalgia. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting, while Moderna will also discuss next steps for the programme with regulatory agencies.