Moderna Korea launches upgraded vaccine targeting Covid-19, variants

[Courtesy of Moderna]

Moderna Korea has introduced an upgraded Covid-19 vaccine, Spikevax X, designed to target not only the original SARS-CoV-2 virus but also the latest circulating variants. The improved vaccine is exclusively being produced by Samsung Biologics Co. to ensure stable supply across the nation.

In a press conference held in Seoul on Thursday, Moderna Korea unveiled the recently updated Spikevax X, which has demonstrated potent neutralizing antibody responses against various variants, including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, XBB.2.3.2, EG.5, and FL.1.5.1.

When administered, Spikevax X showed a tenfold increase in antibody response against XBB.1.5, a 10.7-fold increase against EG.5.1, and an 8.7-fold increase against BA.2.86.

Kim Hee-soo, the country medical director at Moderna Korea, emphasized that Spikevax X was the only Covid-19 vaccine available in Korea that had undergone clinical trials on human subjects during the winter season.

The safety profile of Spikevax X is comparable to that of existing vaccines, according to the company.

Local adverse reactions to Spikevax X were mostly mild, with the most common being injection site pain. Systemic adverse reactions included headache, fatigue, muscle pain, and chills.

Spikevax X received emergency use authorization from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on September 26. The first batch was manufactured at Samsung Biologics’ facility in Songdo, Incheon, and subsequently transported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s warehouse in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on October 4.

To ensure a stable supply of Spikevax X in Korea, Moderna Korea entered into a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) agreement with Samsung Biologics, allowing for the direct administration of locally produced vaccines without the need for separate import and customs procedures.

High-risk individuals will be able to receive Spikevax X starting on April 19, and the general population ages 12 to 64 will be able to receive it starting next month.