Moderna develops vaccines for herpes viruses, chickenpox and types of cancer

The American biotech company recently announced that it had begun developing a vaccine against HIV; another against the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and another against the cytomegalovirus (CMV), in all cases latent viruses that remain in the body after infection, according to a statement.

“We are committed to addressing latent viruses with the goal of preventing lifelong medical illnesses with our mRNA vaccine programs,” said the CEO of modernStéphane Bancel, who added that he could soon add more lines to the current five.

Moderna, which at the moment only has the vaccine against COVID-19 approved, explained that the serum under study for the herpes simplex virus is aimed at the HSV-2 type, which mainly infects the genitals, with the idea that it offers cross-protection against the HSV-1 type, which affects the mouth, face and genitals.

Regarding the product for VZV, Moderna maintained that it is designed to express the E glycoprotein of this virus to “reduce the rate of herpes” with the focus on the adult population, which from the age of 50 is more susceptible to suffering from herpes zoster lesions as their immunity declines and reactivates.

Regarding the vaccinecontrol” for cancer, the company said that its test seeks to stimulate T-cells -lymphocytes that eliminate tumor cells- and that it would have applications for two types, advanced or metastatic cutaneous melanoma, and non-small cell lung carcinoma.