MA Company Says Coronavirus Vaccine Trial Has 'Potential'

CAMBRIDGE, MA — The Massachusetts biotech company leading the way on a possible vaccine for the coronavirus said its phase one testing results showed promising results.

Moderna, based in Cambridge, said in a release Monday morning that the early results suggest "mRNA-1273 has the potential to prevent COVID-19 disease and advance our ability to select a dose for pivotal trials."

The first phase of testing showed the drug to be safe for humans and created an immune response to the virus, the company said. The results were based off the first eight healthy people to receive two doses of mRNA-1273.

The second phase of testing will include 600 people and is set to begin soon after getting the green light from the Food and Drug Administration. The company announced a third phase for July involving thousands of people.

The FDA last week said it gave Moderna the "fast track" designation, allowing the company to accelerate testing and development.

There is currently no vaccine for the coronavirus. Moderna has said one may be available for public sale by 2021, but The New York Times said the company's chief medical officer noted the end of this year as a possibility.