Moderna Says Its Covid Shot Produces Antibodies Against Delta Variant

Moderna researchers tested blood samples from eight people for antibodies against versions of the spike protein from different coronavirus variants, including delta, which emerged in India.

Moderna Inc. said its vaccine produced protective antibodies against the delta variant spreading in the U.S. and many other parts of the world. Moderna researchers tested blood samples from eight people for antibodies against versions of the spike protein from different coronavirus variants, including delta, which emerged in India. The vaccine "produced neutralizing titers against all variants tested," the company said in a statement. The results were released on the pre-print server bioRxiv. The protective proteins are called neutralizing antibodies because they're capable of preventing the virus from entering cells. Compared to the quantity of antibodies produced against the main version of the virus, neutralizing antibody levels against the delta variant were reduced by 2.1-fold. Shares of Moderna gained 5.9% at 10:24 a.m. in New York.