Cytomegalovirus Vaccine

About Cytomegalovirus Vaccine

Cytomegalovirus CMV vaccine development has been ongoing for decades. CMV is the most common congenital infection, with roughly 1 in 200 US babies born infected, some of whom develop hearing loss, vision loss, or developmental disabilities. A Phase 2 trial of a glycoprotein B MF59 vaccine in young women reported about 50 percent efficacy in 2009. Merck tested a different candidate, V160. Moderna tested mRNA 1647, an mRNA vaccine targeting multiple CMV proteins, in a Phase 3 trial that did not meet its primary endpoint. CMV is also a major cause of disease in transplant recipients. A CMV vaccine could prevent birth defects and protect immunocompromised patients. The history of CMV vaccine development illustrates the long timeline from concept to clinical success.