CureVac’s shot, one of the many “slow vaccines” that could have plugged the vaccine gap in the developing countries, was highly anticipated as unlike other mRNA vaccines — of Pfizer and Moderna — it can be stored in regular refrigerators and remains stable for 24 hours at room temperature.
Abandoning the vaccine will allow the company to focus on its second-generation vaccine designed specifically for new variants of the virus and on combination shots that could prevent two or more infectious diseases. Clinical trials for its second-generation shot could start in the coming months, with potential regulatory approval in 2022. Trials in animals showed them to be superior to CureVac’s original Covid-19 vaccine.
“In the ongoing transition from acute pandemic to endemic, our decision reflects expected changes in public health needs that our second-generation can potentially address,” said CureVac chief Franz-Werner Haas.