By Chris Wack

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines global business unit of Sanofi SA, and Translate Bio Inc. said they have begun a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating an mRNA-based investigational vaccine against seasonal influenza.

The companies said the trial will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a monovalent flu vaccine candidate coding for the hemagglutinin protein of the A/H3N2 strain of the influenza virus.

Flu seasons that are dominated by A/H3N2 strain circulation activity tend to be more severe, especially among those considered at-risk such as older adults and younger children.

Sanofi and Translate Bio have developed and will evaluate two formulations of the vaccine in the Phase 1 influenza mRNA vaccine clinical trial. The two formulations differ in the lipid nanoparticle that contains the mRNA.

The trial follows successful preclinical research which demonstrated promising safety and immunogenicity.

Write to Chris Wack at chris.wack@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

06-22-21 0624ET