Meridian Clinical Research announced today it has begun recruiting healthy adults for a Phase 3 clinical research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of mRNA-1273, a vaccine candidate against COVID-19. Sponsored by Moderna, the COVE Study is recruiting healthy volunteers ages 18 or older in high-risk populations, including the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities at higher risk for COVID-19, and essential workers in close contact with potentially infected persons.
The Phase 3 study will evaluate if mRNA-1273 boosts the immune system to produce enough antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, so it does not cause illness in case of infection.
“We are excited and hopeful as we begin participating in the COVE Study, understanding this is one of the most important and impactful clinical research studies in our lifetime,” said Brandon Essink, MD, CPI, principal investigator and medical director at Meridian. “We encourage individuals across the area to consider participating in this trial, which could bring the world one step closer to ending this global health crisis.”
To be eligible for the study, healthy volunteers must be 18 years of age and older with no known history of SARS-CoV-2 infection or previous participation in an investigational coronavirus vaccine. Within this population, meridian is prioritizing candidates whose locations or circumstances put them at higher risk of exposure to the virus, including:
- Elderly, ages 65 and older
- Essential workers in close contact with potentially infected persons, including, but not limited to, healthcare and hospital workers, first responders, transit employees, institutional residents or workers, factory employees, and teachers and students
- Racial and ethnic minorities at high risk for COVID-19
If a person is eligible and decides to participate, the research staff at Meridian will randomize patients to receive either the mRNA-1273 vaccine or a matching placebo. The total length of participation is 25 months and includes approximately seven visits to the clinic and 24 phone calls.
Meridian locations conducting this study:
- Georgia (Savannah): Meridian Clinical Research, 340 Eisenhower Dr #1200, Savannah, GA 31406
- Louisiana (Baton Rouge): Meridian Clinical Research, 5326 O’Donovan Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70808
- Maryland (Rockville): Meridian Clinical Research, 1201 Seven Locks Road, Suite 111, Rockville, MD 20854
- Nebraska (Grand Island): Meridian Clinical Research, 2444 West Faidley Avenue, Grand Island, Nebraska 68803
- Nebraska (Norfolk): Meridian Clinical Research, 1410 N 13th St, Suite 5, Norfolk, NE 68701
- Nebraska (Omaha): Meridian Clinical Research, 3319 N 107th St, Omaha, NE 68134
- New York (Binghamton): Meridian Clinical Research, 1290 Upper Front Street, Binghamton, NY 13901
- South Dakota (Dakota Dunes): Meridian Clinical Research, 330 Dakota Dunes Blvd #400, Dakota Dunes, SD 57049
Meridian is one of 89 research sites across the country participating in the COVE Study. If someone is interested in participating in clinical research in their area, call (402) 934-7563 (NE, SD) or (912) 623-2240 (GA, LA, MD, NY) or visit mcrmed.com/covid-19-vaccine-study to learn more.
About Meridian Clinical Research
Meridian Clinical Research partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to research new drugs, medical devices, and diagnostics that could improve human health and wellbeing. Founded in 1999, Meridian is a multi-specialty site network headquartered at its dedicated research center in Omaha, NE, and conducts Phase 1-4 studies at investigative sites across North America. Meridian supports research across numerous therapeutic areas and specializes in high-volume vaccine trials.
Site Contacts
Robert Jones
Meridian Clinical Research
(402) 933-6500
rjones@mcrmed.com