A new study comparing Arcturus Therapeutics' self-replicating mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, ARCT-154, developed in collaboration with CSL, to BioNTech/Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine, reveals a more robust and durable immune response 12 months post-vaccination. The findings, presented at the OPTIONS XII for the Control of Influenza conference, highlight the potential of Arcturus' self-amplifying mRNA technology to offer enhanced protection against SARS-CoV-2.
Superior Antibody Response
The Phase III trial, conducted in Japan, involved 930 participants who had previously received at least three doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Participants were randomized to receive a booster vaccination with either ARCT-154 or Comirnaty. The results indicated that individuals who received ARCT-154 exhibited significantly higher levels of neutralizing antibodies against various SARS-CoV-2 strains compared to those who received Comirnaty at the 12-month follow-up.
Self-Amplifying mRNA Technology
Arcturus' self-amplifying technology facilitates rapid and prolonged antigen expression within target cells, which is designed to stimulate a stronger immune response to potential pathogens like SARS-CoV-2. This approach may offer a more effective and longer-lasting defense against COVID-19, even at lower doses compared to conventional mRNA vaccines.
Expert Commentary
"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," said Jonathan Edelman, MD, senior vice president, Vaccines Innovation Unit, at CSL.
Bivalent Vaccine Development
Arcturus and CSL are also actively developing a bivalent version of their vaccine, ARCT-2301, to target emerging strains of the virus. Preliminary research suggests that ARCT-2301 demonstrates superior immunogenicity compared to the bivalent version of Comirnaty.
Addressing the Need for Durable Protection
"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," said Igor Smolenov, chief development officer of Arcturus Therapeutics. "These compelling new studies reaffirm that these self-amplifying-mRNA vaccines have the potential to offer potent protection against COVID-19."
