BioNTech

The RH5.1/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, tested in a phase 2b trial on 361 children, shows safety, effectiveness, and high immunogenicity, potentially becoming the first blood-stage vaccine, complementing existing pre-erythrocytic vaccines.

La Trobe University has strengthened industry partnerships in agriculture, biotechnology, digital innovation, and health, including BioNTech's mRNA facility and an $8M Bio Innovation Hub. The university also launched the Australian Centre for AI in Medical Innovation and the Deloitte Digital Operations Centre. Collaborations with The Australian Ballet and Zoos Victoria highlight interdisciplinary research impact.

mRNA technology proved effective during COVID-19, paving the way for broader applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine. Its advantages include speed, scalability, safety, and versatility across diseases like cancer and autoimmune conditions. The UK, with its strong research institutions and industry presence, is well-positioned to lead in mRNA development, but needs strategic investment in clinical trials, manufacturing, regulation, and infrastructure to realize its potential.

5 studies, reported in 5 papers and 1 NIHR Report, included in the review. 539 participants, often from ethnic minorities or vulnerable communities, discussed motivations and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine trial participation. Themes included personal gains, perceived risk, family influence, community contribution, institutional trust, and trial accessibility.

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The RH5.1/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, studied in a Phase IIb trial, shows 55% efficacy against clinical malaria and over 80% against severe disease, with favorable safety and tolerability. It could complement existing pre-erythrocytic vaccines, offering a second line of defense against malaria.

FDA lifted partial clinical hold on BioNTech's PresERVE-003 trial, focusing on squamous NSCLC patients after data review. BNT316 ONC-392, a next-gen anti-CTLA-4 antibody, aims to enhance T cell activity with fewer immune-related adverse effects.

Moderna, a biotech company specializing in mRNA technology, developed one of the first COVID-19 vaccines and researches treatments for infectious diseases, cancer, and rare genetic disorders. Founded in 2010, it became publicly traded in 2018 and has since expanded its mRNA-based vaccine research to include RSV, HIV, and Zika fever, among others.

BioNTech plans to advance BNT327 to Phase III for triple-negative breast cancer after promising Phase II survival data. BNT327, a PD-L1 x VEGF bispecific, showed 13.5 months of progression-free survival when combined with nab-paclitaxel as first-line therapy for locally advanced or metastatic TNBC.

Sanofi's two combination vaccine candidates, NCT06695117 and NCT06695130, received Fast Track designation from the FDA for preventing influenza and COVID-19 in people aged 50+. These candidates combine Sanofi's Fluzone High-Dose or Flublok with Novavax's NVXC19 vaccine. Sanofi and Novavax have a deal for co-marketing NVXC19 from 2025, with Sanofi having sole rights to develop and market the combination with its influenza vaccines. Novavax's NVXC19 shows better tolerability and high efficacy. Sanofi's Vaccines unit has strong sales growth, expecting over €10 billion in annual net sales by 2030.