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Common stomach flu problems can go away. Pharmaceutical company Moderna has launched a large-scale Phase III trial testing a vaccine for norovirus, a frequent and dangerous food source.
Modern Nova 301 test it is expected to start this year, following the first dose given to a volunteer last September. About 25,000 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 18 are expected to enroll in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which will ultimately take two years to complete. People from all over the world will be able to participate in the survey, including in many parts of the US
Norovirus then a major cause of foodborne illness in America, accounting for about 20 million cases each year. Most norovirus infections are short-lived—if uncomfortable—with symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and flu-like symptoms lasting up to three days. For many, it is a sad but chronic problem. However, many people seek medical care, resulting in more than two million doctor visits and nearly half a million visits each year. In some cases, the disease can progress to the point of hospitalization or even death. About 100,000 Americans are hospitalized with norovirus, and 900 die from it each year. It’s the same a big story in other parts of the world that have weak sanitation and health systems.
“Norovirus is a serious public health problem that affects millions of people around the world every year, causing severe symptoms and, in some cases, hospitalization,” said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna. words last fall. “By advancing our investigational norovirus vaccine into the pivotal Phase 3 trial, we are one step closer to providing a new tool to prevent this highly contagious disease, which poses a major threat to global health.”
Although norovirus has been a thorn in humans’ side, the need for vaccination is now at an all-time high. Following a brief lull in the early stages of the epidemic, norovirus made a comeback in the U.S. In late 2024, nearly 500 norovirus outbreaks were reported, a significant increase compared to the previous year. And this winter the norovirus he is on his way being the worst in a decade.
Scientists have struggle with development successful norovirus vaccine. Historically, we have not been able to grow the virus in the lab or in small animals, which limits our study. The virus is also naturally strong in our defenses. There are several types of norovirus that go around at any time, and being infected recently does not protect you from others. Our natural defenses against certain stressors also begin to wane over time, perhaps stay for several months for others.
But recently, scientists have been able to build better labs to study norovirus, and have developed more reliable ways to get a vaccine. Moderna’s vaccine, for example, tries to generate immunity by training the body to target virus-like particles (VLPs) that closely resemble norovirus but are not virulent. The candidate uses the same mRNA technology implemented in the Moderna covid-19 vaccine to achieve this. The mRNA vaccine stimulates the body’s cells to produce proteins that are recognized by the immune system as a threat (in this case, norovirus VLPs).
The company’s candidate is mRNA-1403, and it is designed to induce immunity against three common strains of norovirus, which will hopefully prevent the spread. Although norovirus is a serious problem for everyone, it often causes serious illness in vulnerable people such as people with weakened immune systems and the elderly. So most of the volunteers (20,000) will be over the age of 60. Some companies are experimenting with their own. Norovirus vaccine for children but also, however.
There are more than 250 Nova 301 test sites around the world, with more than 100 in the US alone. Participants were required to be in good health (this could include having a well-managed diet), and to have no recent history of gastrointestinal disease, among other things. The main part of the trial is planned for two years, and the final results are expected by May 2027. Those who want to participate can take the survey made by Moderna. Here.