Moderna phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trial could still begin in July

Citing unnamed investigators, healthcare publication STAT News on Thursday reported that the trial has been delayed.

Moderna in a statement said that it still hopes to begin the trial in July.

"Moderna has previously disclosed that the Phase 3 trial of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate mRNA-1273 is expected to begin in July. The trial is still expected to begin in July and we expect to be the first to start a Phase 3 trial," the company said.

"We have worked closely with NIH/OWS (US National Institutes of Health / Office of Workplace Solutions) to align on the final protocol in order to begin the trial on time."

The Moderna vaccine candidate is an RNA-based vaccine designed to help the body produce antibodies that protect against Covid-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) late last month said that the UK-based AstraZeneca is leading the race to develop an effective vaccine against Covid-19, while Moderan is not far behind.

Read also: World May Have Covid-19 Vaccine In A Year, UK Pharma Company Leading In Race: WHO