On November 16th Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), one week after Pfizer (NYE: PFA), announced
Regulators have previously said they would approve a vaccine that had just 50% effectiveness. The MRNA vaccine is different to normal vaccines (but similar to PFA’s vaccine) in that it uses the genetic code of the vaccine rather than any part of the vaccine itself.
The trials
MRNA said 11 serious safety concerns had been observed throughout the trial, which enrolled about 30,000 patients, but these all received the placebo (PFA 43,538 and nil).
However, testing was performed on diverse communities of varying ages whereas (PFA’s was only performed on fit and healthy individuals).
Normal Phase 3 clinical trials on humans involve comparison using double-blind placebos.
MRNA’s was a Phase 3, randomized, stratified, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study – the placebo was 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) injection, which meets the criteria of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) -it is strange how 11 had adverse reactions.
PFA’s was only compared to a control group where the placebo was the meningitis vaccine.
Production
MRNA is now ramping up production of the vaccine.
Australia doesn’t have a contract with MRNA to produce this vaccine locally.
Australia only has contracts with PFA, University of QLD, Novavax and Astrazenaca.
Storage
Impact upon Aegros ( is same as with Pfizer)
Aegros’s operations comprise the following three business units:
Aegros’s COVID-19 treatment utilising its patented Electro Separation technology (Covimmune™). The treatment, which has been trademarked as ‘Covimmune’, is developed by extracting and concentrating antibodies from the blood of individuals that have recovered from COVID-19. The blood of individuals that have received a vaccine is equally valid.
Hence, PFA’s CoVID-19 vaccine potentially expands the number of available donors for the supply of plasma to Aegros.
In addition, Aegros’s treatment can also be of use to those not wishing to receive vaccine for any religious, other moral grounds or allergies.
In the absence of COVID-19 Aegros can resort to its other two highly profitable businesses. Meantime, vaccines will not eliminate COVID-19
Aegros update
Aegros requires ethics approval before they can commence recruitment of patients to inoculate.
The Human Research Ethics Committee sent Aegros a list of additional questions last Friday.
It is expected it will take Aegros a week to compile the necessary responses.
Hence, Aegros are still on track for the first participant to be incoulated in the first week of December.
Moving Forward
If the vaccine cannot reduce infection, hospitalisation or death, then it cannot end the pandemic, which means everyone who takes the vaccine might be doing so in vain. Only mass-testing can be expected to end the pandemic and this is underway outside of vaccine companies.
Until the pandemic ends Aegros can power ahead with its CovImmune™ therapeutics business.