New mRNA vaccine targets Epstein-Barr virus in early trial

NCT ID NCT07478952

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-stage trial is testing an mRNA vaccine called mRNA-1189 to see if it is safe and triggers an immune response against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is a common virus that can cause mononucleosis and is linked to certain cancers. The study involves 120 healthy adults aged 18 to 30, who will receive the vaccine either under the skin or into a muscle. Researchers will monitor for side effects and measure antibody levels.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
mRNA-1189 vaccine
What this could lead to
If successful, this could lead to a vaccine that prevents Epstein-Barr virus infection, which is linked to mononucleosis and some cancers.
What could go wrong
This is an early Phase 1 trial with only 120 participants, so it's primarily checking safety and immune response. The vaccine may not work as hoped or could cause side effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 1

The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.

Participants

About 120 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Mar 2026

Expected to finish

May 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

A company

The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 30 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy as determined by medical evaluation including medical history and physical examination. * Participants who are assigned female at birth or could become pregnant are eligible to participate if the participant is not pregnant or breast/chest feeding. Exclusion Criteria: * Have undergone surgical procedures within 7 days prior to Day 1 or Day 57 or are scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure within 28 days after study intervention administration. * Reported history of congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, immunosuppressive condition, asplenia, or recurrent severe infectious disease. * Received corticosteroids at ≥10 milligrams per day (mg/day) of prednisone or equivalent for \>14 days in total within 90 days prior to Day 1 or is anticipating the need for corticosteroids at any time during the study. * Received systemic immunosuppressive treatment, including long-acting biological therapies that affect immune responses, within 180 days prior to Day 1 or plans to do so during the study. * Received or plans to receive any nonstudy vaccine from 28 days prior to first dose/Day 1 up to 28 days after the second dose/Day 57. * History of myocarditis, pericarditis, or myopericarditis prior to Day 1. * Has previously received an investigational EBV vaccine. Note: Other inclusion and exclusion criteria may apply.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

  1. The places running it

    2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.

  2. The official record

    ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

    Open the record ↗

  3. A doctor treating you

    A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Doherty Clinical Trials

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Melbourne, Victoria, VIC 3149, Australia

  • Nucleus Network

    RECRUITING

    Melbourne, Victoria, VIC 3004, Australia

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